Lombardo Administration Fails to Protect the Most Vulnerable in Nevada, Falls Short On Infant Opioid Care
Amid the growing opioid epidemic across Nevada, a new report shows that, according to a legislative audit, the Lombardo administration failed to protect infants whose mothers struggled with opioid addictions during pregnancy. It’s been six months since this audit was made public and Lombardo still hasn’t provided an update on their refusal to administer these infant care plans.
The state of Nevada has a responsibility to give opioid-affected children the necessary treatment and resources to make sure they are properly cared for. Yet, under Lombardo, evidence shows that his administration has dropped the ball and the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health has not been providing adequate care, potentially risking the lives and health of vulnerable babies.
While Lombardo fails to protect Nevadans, Attorney General Aaron Ford helped secure $1.2 billion in opioid settlements for Nevada.
American Journal News: Lombardo administration fell short on infant opioid care
Key points
- Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office failed to adequately oversee care plans for opioid-affected infants, according to a legislative audit.
- The state requires health care providers to create treatment plans for infants affected by opioid use or withdrawal symptoms. The plans must address the needs of the infant as well as their mother or caregiver.
- The audit determined that DPBH fell short of that responsibility.
- The potential consequences are both human and financial: infants may not be receiving adequate care, and failure to comply with regulations could imperil federal funding for opioid prevention efforts.
- The audit was made public in April. The Lombardo administration has still not provided an update on the shortcomings or a plan to rectify them.
- Nevada recorded a provisional 1,056 drug overdose deaths last year, according to the CDC. Overdose deaths have declined nationwide, including in Nevada, but the state’s own decline has been minimal or flat compared to the national trend.
- His Democratic opponent, state Attorney General Aaron Ford, helped secure $1.2 billion in opioid settlements for Nevada.
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