Thomas Graf

Opioid Crisis: Examining National, State, and Local Responses and Impact

Dan Diamond, Shereef Elnahal, Thomas Graf, Elinore McCance-Katz, Nora Volkow

At the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit, federal and state leaders including Dr. Nora Volkow, Dr. Eleanor McCance-Katz, and Dr. Sharif El-Nahal convened with insurer representatives to address the heterogeneous nature of the opioid crisis through a multi-trajectory approach. The panelists detailed concrete strategies such as New Jersey's integration of medication-assisted treatment in correctional facilities, Horizon Blue Cross's shift away from non-evidence-based urine testing, and SAMHSA's efforts to mainstream addiction training in medical schools. Consensus emerged that sustainable outcomes require granular real-time data infrastructure and collaborative partnerships that empower local communities with the flexibility to tailor interventions to specific demographic and geographic needs.