The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will be holding virtual listening sessions around the state to determine how anticipated settlement funds from opioid manufacturers and distributors can be used to enhance prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery support services related to the impact of opioid use.
There are 12 listening sessions – go to www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news for Zoom signup details – for partners and stakeholders and the public to weigh in on how to invest these dollars expected this year.
The northeastern region session for partners and stakeholders is set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 21, followed by the public and consumer session from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Evening sessions for everyone are also scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 and 25.
Ideas can also be submitted through a survey link on the DHS website with a Jan. 31 deadline.
“We will take the ideas and information from each listening session and use it to determine the best regional and statewide approaches to invest in with future settlement funds,” said DHS director of opioid initiatives Paul Krupski. “These funds will create opportunities for DHS to provide additional support for new and existing projects.”
In August, the DHS announced its collaboration with health care providers to pilot a “hub and spoke” model to provide integrated services for BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members for rapid access to comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment, primary care, and other needed supports.
The funds come from proposed settlements with opioid distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. Funds are also expected from bankruptcy settlements with Purdue Pharma and Mallinckrodt.
