Mass. Congressman Hosts Opioid Addiction & Affordable Care Act Roundtable
By: Tim Studebaker
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NEW BEDFORD, MASS. – With the US Senate debating a potential healthcare overhaul, planning a vote tomorrow, critics are fighting a repeal from all angles.
In New Bedford on Monday, that fight focused on addiction and the opioid crisis with a roundtable discussion that had recovering addicts opening up about their struggle. They shared their stories in front of cameras and a room full of people.
“If it weren’t for the essential health benefits that came along with MassHealth under the substance abuse, I wouldn’t be alive today,” says Justin Clancy, a participant in Monday’s roundtable discussion.
It was part of an effort to draw attention to the opioid crisis. That effort was headed up by Massachusetts Congressman Bill Keating.
Keating says, “I would love to have this be broadcast nationally so that people could see people who have gone through recovery – very hard, hard effort.”
The discussion highlighted the help recovering addicts have received through the Affordable Care Act. The congressman is clearly against the Republican health care plan.
Keating says, “What I’m seeing, rather cynically, is some additional money just thrown, not guaranteed, not saying how it’s going to be used, not there for medical care, basic medical care that people need.”
But the most poignant message was from those like Justin Clancy, who shared their stories of addiction.
Clancy says, “I remember the first time I was prescribed a medication. I was 8 years old, which taught me from a very young age that there was an external solution to an internal dilemma. What we have is the disease of addiction. It’s extremely deep rooted in our psyche. It’s more than just the drugs.”
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017
