Bill Overview
Title: Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act of 2022
Description: This bill allows opioid treatment programs to admit individuals who have been addicted to opioids for less than one year for maintenance treatment (the use of medications such as methadone in treating opioid addiction). Current regulations generally bar an opioid treatment program from admitting individuals for such treatment unless they have been addicted to opioids for more than one year. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to revise its regulations to allow admission when the duration of an individual's opioid addiction is less than one year.
Sponsors: Rep. Bucshon, Larry [R-IN-8]
Target Audience
Population: People with opioid use disorder requiring treatment for less than one year of addiction globally
Estimated Size: 700000
- The global prevalence of opioid use disorder is estimated to be around 40 million people.
- Opioid treatment programs are available in various countries, but the highest concentration is in the US, considering the opioid crisis.
- The regulation change would potentially make treatment available to individuals addicted for less than one year.
- Timely intervention is crucial in preventing the escalation of opioid addiction and potentially reaching a more severe stage.
- Allowing early intervention could have ripple effects, benefiting families and communities affected by opioid misuse.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy is individuals in the US who have been addicted to opioids for less than one year. This group could benefit significantly from early treatment access, potentially preventing further decline into addiction.
- The budget will allow for widespread implementation to assist a large number of people, but it may still not cover all those needing immediate help, particularly if other costs are considered.
- Including individuals from various socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds ensures a well-rounded understanding of the policy's impact.
- People not currently in treatment but affected by opioid misuse (such as family members) may also experience indirect benefits.
- Considering the number of individuals estimated to benefit and the proposed budget, we must ensure cost efficiency in delivering the program.
Simulated Interviews
Construction worker (Columbus, Ohio)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy could really help people who are just starting to realize they have a problem and need help sooner rather than later.
- Many of my coworkers have struggled with opioids, and getting treatment early can make a big difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 1 |
Nurse (Baltimore, Maryland)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can prevent years of struggle for families by intervening early.
- I've seen patients come in for overdose because they couldn't access treatment early enough.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Small business owner (Houston, Texas)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If I had access to treatment earlier, I might have avoided losing job opportunities and relationships.
- The stigma of being an addict and not being able to access treatment was overwhelming.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Unemployed (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want to get help, but I've been told I'm not eligible yet because I'm not 'addicted enough.'
- This policy would change that and give me hope to turn things around.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 1 |
Social worker (New York City, New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not having to wait for a year could prevent many overdoses and social issues later.
- Timely access to treatment will benefit not just individuals but entire communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
College student (Miami, Florida)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even though I'm not fully addicted, knowing treatment is available can stop me from going downhill.
- This policy makes me feel supported before it's too late.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Police officer (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Early treatment can make our cities safer and reduce the burden on law enforcement.
- It's frustrating to deal with the same individuals when they can't access help soon enough.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Artist (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy could have made a difference for my sister; it's too late for her, but not for others.
- Prevention through early intervention is the key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 1 |
IT professional (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing this change now, I can't help but wish it had happened earlier.
- It gives hope for a future where we act before crises hit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
High school teacher (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need this policy to prevent long-term damage among the youth.
- Education and early treatment will keep kids in school and safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $550000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $650000000)
Year 3: $600000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $700000000)
Year 5: $700000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $800000000)
Year 10: $900000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 100: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1700000000)
Key Considerations
- The immediate increase in costs could be offset by long-term savings from reduced healthcare and societal costs related to opioid addiction.
- Funding mechanisms need to be identified to support expanded capacities in treatment programs.
- Coordination between state and federal programs is vital to ensure a smooth regulation transition.