One thing’s for sure: In one of the epicenters of the
“Our needs are long,” Prestera addictions counselor
More money could be on its way to places like Prestera across the country. This week, lawyers for state and local governments announced a potential
But
Morrisey says he knows those fighting the opioid crisis need urgent support, but he’s concerned about how it would be distributed nationally. He argues that the proposed allocations are too focused on the size of each state's population and don't adequately take into account the depth of the crisis in
If Morrisey rejects the settlement, the state would not receive a share of the distributed funds but it could continue litigation against J&J on its own in the hopes of reaching a better deal.
Prestera CEO
Prestera employs 550 workers at 55 locations in southern
Prestera didn’t qualify for paycheck protection loans that help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It received a small amount of federal stimulus money for Medicare, but not enough to offset losses, Miller said. “We can’t afford to lose money year after year. You can’t keep the doors open. We had to scale back some services.”
During the pandemic, the nonprofit tried to make use of telehealth services instead of in-person visits. But its broadband internet connection was rocky at best.
“We’re just doing the best that we can with what we have,” Miller said.
That’s where hope that settlement money, whether from the newly announced deal or some other one, trickles down to the ground level.
Dreaming is free.
“We would want to look at all of our infrastructure needs. Increasing our broadband. Rehabilitating some of the facilities that we have not been able to rehabilitate for a long time. Things like roofs,” Miller said. “We have a long list of maintenance issues that we’ve had to just repair and Band-Aid the best we can.”
After his own struggles with prescription pain pills following a broken nose sustained in a college bar fight,
Initially an accountant, Leech formed
“We know how to treat this disease,” Leech said. “But the payment model is flawed. The reimbursement rates are so low.”
If
“That’s my hope is that this money can go to help establish these systems and then we can begin working with the payers to implement a payment arrangement that will save them money and keep people sober long term,” Leech said.
At Prestera, which receives more than half of its funding from Medicaid reimbursements, the parking lot at the
At another Prestera facility in the city along the
“I'm holding my breath,” Zappia said. "I don't have
"Those buildings need to be in a condition where people can come in and feel like it's a nice place to be, where it's comfortable and inviting. That's why infrastructure is important for us."
Prestera’s staffing levels are down nearly one-third in the past 10 years. There were pandemic-related furloughs and layoffs, although nearly all of those affected have been brought back. Many are still working from home.
People are also not coming in for treatment like before the pandemic started. Some are worried about contracting COVID-19 by staying in a residential substance use treatment facility.
“While we struggle financially, the importance of what we do has never been more apparent,” Miller said.
Miller pointed to statistics showing that substance abuse has increased during the pandemic. So has the public’s levels of depression, anxiety and stress, including among children.
“This pandemic is a mental health and substance use nightmare,” Miller said. “It’s going to increase people’s mental health problems. It will increase substance use. And we have to be prepared to meet that need.”
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