Congress should require that eligibility for grants to improve Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs is contingent on interstate data sharing and that the CDC publish a report detailing best practices on the use of this data.

To Do: Make Grants to Improve Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Contingent on Interstate Data Sharing

While the president called for a massive advertising campaign in the style of the “Just Say No” campaign, he did not announce any new funding for those on the frontlines, leaving entities such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with little room to move.

Data is Key to the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic

Data can play an important role in the fight against addiction, but privacy concerns are hampering the effectiveness of prescription drug monitoring programs, writes Daniel Castro in Government Technology.

Using Data to Fight the Opioid Epidemic

Better Use of Data Can Help Fight U.S. Opioid Epidemic, New Report Shows

The Center for Data Innovation urged the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services to enact policies promoting the release of granular, timely, accurate and machine-readable Medicare claims data.

Comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicard Services on Medicare Data RFC

Congress should explicitly allow utilities, telecommunications companies, and landlords to report on-time payments to credit-reporting agencies.

To Do: Promote Alternative Credit Data

Congress should direct HHS to implement a unique patient identifier as originally intended by HIPAA.

To Do: Implement a Unique Patient Identifier

Data can greatly improve financial reporting.

Congress Should Not Undo Progress on Financial Data Reform

Congress should expand the health information technology incentives program to include mental- and behavioral-health providers and facilities.

To Do: Prohibit CMS From Processing Opioid Claims Missing Key Information

Recommendation

Details

Editors’ Recommendations

How Data Can Help in the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic in the United States

Related

To Do: Make Grants to Improve Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Contingent on Interstate Data Sharing

Data is Key to the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic

Using Data to Fight the Opioid Epidemic