LEHIGHTON — As Governor Tom Wolf continues his battle against opioid addiction in Pennsylvania, a state lawmaker from Carbon County wants to get insurance companies involved in the fight.
In Lehighton, some residents say they have seen an increase in drug abuse.
“People have the licenses suspended because of drug issues. You see it right here. You know the people and you see them driving, and they shouldn’t be driving, and they need help,” said Wendy Wentz of Lehighton.
Jessica Hansen works at PA Treatment and Healing in Lehighton.
“We live in such a small area around here and people often think it’s not happening here, but it is, and we have a huge issue,” said Hansen.
A bill introduced in Harrisburg by state Representative Doyle Heffley (R-122nd) would require health insurers to cover *abuse-deterrent opioids. He wants insurers to cover medications such as hydrocodone and oxycodone that are formulated in such a way that they cannot easily be abused by being cut, crushed, dissolved or injected.
“Somebody has got to do something. I know Doyle Heffley, and I hope he’s doing the right thing,” said Clark Miller of Lehighton.
“I think our problem is so big and so huge, there’s always work to be done and more work to do, but we are trying,” added Hansen.
State Representative Doyle Heffley doesn’t expect health insurance rates to go up if this bill becomes law.
* 2/17/17 – A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the proposed legislation would require insurers to cover medications used to treat opioid addiction.
