National Safety Council Statement on the American Health Care Act

ITASCA, Ill., March 17, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council is concerned that the proposed American Health Care Act will keep millions of Americans with opioid misuse disorder from obtaining accessible, affordable treatment. For many Americans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) makes it possible to access treatment services for a disease historically dismissed as a decision rather than a medical diagnosis requiring ongoing attention. By eliminating the essential health benefit in the ACA, substance use disorder treatment would not be available to Americans who need it. Unintentional opioid overdoses are a leading cause of preventable deaths - the loss of coverage for so many would be catastrophic. 

Congress recently passed the 21st Century Cures Act, and provided funding in the continuing resolution to support it. It would be a shame to follow such historic actions with one that leaves millions of Americans in need of treatment and recovery options with nowhere to turn. Any bill that does not include access to treatment and care for substance use disorder is incomplete at best, and deadly at worst.

About the National Safety Council

Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

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SOURCE National Safety Council

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