We’ve reached more than a month of government shutdown with no clear end in sight. But, while national prospects are dim, it’s important to remember there’s a lot of policy action happening in our own backyards on the state level. Seriously, a lot.
Here are two state-level policies you might have missed that deserve applause (and hopefully one day expansion to all states):
Tobacco Sale Age Raised to 21+ in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of six states leading the way in protecting teens from the dangers of tobacco. Effective December 2018, the state banned the sale of all tobacco products (including traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes) to anyone under 21. The move was in keeping with popular demand – nearly 200 cities and towns in Massachusetts had already made the switch to 21. This is good news because according to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 300 youths become habitual smokers every single day, and those who start smoking as teens are more likely to be addicted as adults.
Medication Assisted Treatment Expanded in Pennsylvania
The wreckage of the opioid epidemic is well-known. What’s less known is how to solve the problem. In Pennsylvania, death rates were surging above the national average, so the state stepped up to make sure patients were able to access the best possible treatment. They made it easier to access medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is a proven method to reduce overdoses and relapses. If you’re wondering why more places don’t provide access to something successful like MAT, they do. But in many states, MAT is only available after patients and physicians meet “prior-authorization requirements.” As physicians have stated, sometimes this red-tape delay can be the difference between life and death for patients. Pennsylvania has led the charge to get rid of delays and treatment, and we look forward to other states following suit.
These public health improvements didn’t grab many national headlines, but they will change countless lives for the better. It’s time for the federal government to take a page from the states and work to make progress towards enacting policies that truly help everyone. If the states can do it, why can’t Congress?