Rep. Dan McGuire: Medicaid expansion may be responsible for heroin epidemic
State House Rep. Dan McGuire (R-Epsom) thinks Medicaid expansion may responsible for the state’s heroin epidemic. “The two things seem to be happening at roughly the same time,” explained the three-term Free Stater.
On “Rock, Paper, Hand Grenades,” an online interview show hosted by Rep. Gary Hopper (R-Weare) and Matt Connarton, the discussion turned to the sharp jump in the number of heroin overdoses.
“Do you think that’s related to expanded Medicaid?” asked McGuire.
“Why?” responded Hopper.
“Because expanded Medicaid now has substance abuse disorder treatment. So you’re more able to get substance abuse treatment than you were previously,” McGuire answered.
“But wouldn’t that imply that there would be less of that?” asked Hopper.
“If it’s valuable,” answered McGuire. “But maybe it’s a little easier to maintain yourself in that situation. I don’t know.”
“In other words, it enables people to feel comfortable staying addicted because there is a safety net?” asked Hopper.
“I think that’s possible,” replied McGuire. “The two things seem to be happening at roughly the same time, you know. Are they causal or related? I don’t know.”
New Futures policy director Michelle Merritt knows. She told Foster’s that the substance abuse treatment services provided by Medicaid expansion are very robust and could have a dramatic impact.
“It is modeled after ASAM, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and SAMSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,” Merritt said. “They had a recommended service array, and the benefits the state has chosen to provide are aligned with those two organizations that are leaders in addiction medicine.”