Bill Overview
Title: Naloxone Education and Access Act
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2027, expands eligibility for, and otherwise makes changes to a grant program that supports access to medications that reverse opioid overdoses (e.g., naloxone).
Sponsors: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Target Audience
Population: People using opioids or at risk of opioid overdose
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The primary focus of the bill is on medications that reverse opioid overdoses, specifically naloxone.
- Opioid use disorder affects millions worldwide; thus, people facing this issue are directly impacted.
- The bill aims to increase access through grant programs, indicating a broad target at organizations distributing naloxone, further impacting end users (opioid users).
- Educational aspects suggest inclusion of healthcare providers, first responders, and possibly other community workers who deliver naloxone or aid in overdose situations.
Reasoning
- The target population is primarily people with opioid use disorder, estimated to be around 2.1 million in the US, plus those indirectly affected by opioid misuse.
- The allocated budget needs to cover distribution and education, focusing on areas with higher reported cases of opioid overdoses.
- The policy aims to improve access significantly, which may increase wellbeing scores for those directly or indirectly affected.
- Our interviews account for a range of individuals including direct users of opioids, family members, healthcare providers, and community workers due to their involvement or impact by the increased access to naloxone.
- Given budget limits, the policy's impact might be localized to high-need locations initially, with gradual expansion expected as infrastructure and distribution improve over the years.
Simulated Interviews
Coal Miner (West Virginia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Naloxone access is crucial; I've seen too many friends die from overdoses.
- Education on naloxone could help reduce stigma and misinformation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
ER Nurse (Ohio)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More naloxone means more lives saved. I've revived many patients with it.
- Training needs to accompany access to naloxone for effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
IT Specialist (California)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My brother's life depends on this. He deserves a chance to recover.
- Accessible naloxone can be a stepping stone to long-term recovery support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Retired (Maine)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's too late for my son, but there are others that can still be saved.
- Community education is key to reducing overdose deaths.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
Student (Oregon)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wish there were more initiatives like this when I was struggling.
- This policy supports harm reduction, a crucial component in battling opioid crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
First Responder (New Mexico)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need more naloxone and more training on overdose management.
- This policy will bolster our first response efforts significantly.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Factory Worker (Kentucky)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Naloxone could be the difference between life and death for someone in my shoes.
- Accessibility to medications needs to increase across the board.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Social Worker (Florida)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Educating families on naloxone can save lives.
- Policymakers should ensure sustained funding for these initiatives.
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 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
College Student (New York)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this was around a few years ago, maybe it could've saved my dad.
- Expanding naloxone access is fundamental to dealing with opioid misuse.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Primary Care Physician (Colorado)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Naloxone is crucial in emergencies; every healthcare provider should have access to it.
- Education on opioid misuse is just as important as the medication.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $85000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $105000000)
Year 3: $90000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $110000000)
Year 5: $95000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $115000000)
Year 10: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $170000000)
Key Considerations
- The success of the policy in achieving reduced overdose deaths significantly depends on effective distribution and education strategies.
- Substantial upfront costs might be mitigated over time with progressing public health outcomes.
- Changes in opioid availability and legal aspects could modify the program's efficiency and cost-effectiveness can't be ignored.