Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is criticizing President Trump for not allocating federal dollars toward the opioid crisis as his administration declares a nationwide public health emergency today.
“This is the national public health crisis,” she said. “This president has yet to put out a game plan, has yet to put his money where his mouth is.”
Trump’s announcement today expands medical coverage to Americans in rural areas, but does not designate money to fight against the opioid crisis. It might shift some existing federal grants to work on the issue.
Healey spoke out against what she sees as an inadequate response to the crisis from the Trump administration. She stressed the need for federal funds to improve treatment options for those addicted to opiates.
“This president, for all of his talk, isn’t going to take on and tackle what is the nation’s single greatest public health crisis,” she said. “I mean, how much more time does he need?”
Healey also said the president’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act illustrate his lack of direction in combatting the crisis.
“One of the things that is so wrong about his continued effort to sabotage healthcare: you’re talking about healthcare that has enabled more people across this country to get access to needed services, including services for opioid addiction,” said Healey.
Republican plans to overhaul the ACA would weaken the provision that requires insurance plans cover things like addiction treatment.
Attorney General Maura Healey joins us every month for Ask The Attorney General, where she takes our questions and yours. To hear her interview in its entirety, click on the audio player above.
