Addictions and contradictions
Access to substance abuse treatment has expanded in Virginia, yet overdose deaths continue to rise BY THARON GIDDENS AUGUST 26, 2021 Expand Courtesy Jonathan Gonzalez, Unsplash Photo by Jonathan Gonzalez via Unsplash The impact of overdose deaths in the commonwealth is chronicled in reports from the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office of the Virginia Department of Health. A report […]
Report: Virginia has significantly expanded access to treatment services through Medicaid
Participation in Virginia’s Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services benefit increased 79% between 2018 and 2019, according to a new report led by VCU researchers. (Getty Images) VCU researchers report a 79% increase in Virginia Medicaid members receiving services between 2018 and 2019 — a result of both Medicaid expansion and an increase in treatment services […]
Despite delayed response, patients with cirrhosis gain significant protection from COVID-19 vaccination
A study published July 13 in JAMA Internal Medicine shows for the first time that people with cirrhosis who receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine gain important protection against hospitalization and death related to the virus. At the same time, however, the vaccines offer less protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and take longer to take effect in this population […]
Study: more Americans are receiving addiction treatment, but gaps persist
An analysis of 16.3 million Medicaid members aged 12 through 64 living in 11 states finds Black enrollees are less likely than white enrollees to be treated with medications for their opioid use disorder. (Getty Images) The largest analysis to date of opioid use disorder among Medicaid recipients finds Black enrollees are less likely than […]
COVID-19 related deaths and excess deaths among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries
Abstract Millions of Americans have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and more than 575,000 had died as of early May 2021. Understanding who are the most vulnerable populations for COVID-19 mortality and excess deaths is critical, especially as the US prioritizes vaccine distribution. Using Medicare administrative data, we found that beneficiaries residing in nursing homes, the […]
