Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Releases Statement On Governor Baker's Proposals To Address Opioid Crisis

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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Nov 15, 2017, 09:43 ET

BOSTON, Nov. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to Governor Charlie Baker's proposed CARE Act, Andrew Dreyfus, President & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, released the following statement:

"We applaud Governor Baker for this important legislation and his dedication to combatting the opioid epidemic. We are particularly supportive of the immediate investment of $30 million annually from the state's 1115 Medicaid waiver to meet the needs of individuals with substance use or co-occurring disorders. These funds will help with patient treatment throughout the system. Similarly, we applaud the Governor's focus on expanding access to treatment beds.

While we're moving in the right direction, there is still more work to be done across the Commonwealth to develop solutions. At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, we will continue our innovative work to address the opioid crisis, including our Prescription Pain Medication Safety Program, which has taken off the streets more than 21 million doses of opioid-based medications, and our work with RIZE Massachusetts, supporting innovative care in this critical area. We've also improved access to medication-assisted treatment for our members with substance use disorder. We will continue to work with the Governor, the House and the Senate to explore meaningful ways to ensure that individuals have timely access to needed treatment, and that we address the unique needs of this public health crisis."

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not–for–profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We're the trusted health plan for more than 25,000 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we're rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.