KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | Painkiller overdoses killing Medicaid patients
Member Center:
Associated Press - October 29, 2009 7:15 PM ET
SEATTLE (AP) - Washington Medicaid patients are nearly six times more likely to die of a prescription painkiller overdose than the general population.
That's the conclusion of a study of painkiller death statistics between 2004 and 2007 by the Washington State Department of Health. The study was published Thursday in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The report suggests prevention efforts should focus on a closer examination of opioid prescribing to Medicaid enrollees. It also recommends intervening with Medicaid patients who appear to be misusing drugs.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
