Opioid Settlement Windfall: Where the Billions Are Going

By Aneri Pattani

May 30, 2025

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<br /> <span class="byline">Aneri Pattani</span></p> <div class='code-block code-block-1' style='margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;'> <script type="text/javascript"> atOptions = { 'key' : 'f40a503bbbcf1f943bf985f798edfc97', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 250, 'width' : 300, 'params' : {} }; </script> </div> <p>LISTEN: Tens of thousands of people have filed claims for compensation from pharmaceutical companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis. But few have actually gotten a check. On May 28, WAMU’s “Health Hub” featured KFF Health News senior correspondent Aneri Pattani, who explained why some survivors feel like the money isn’t going to the right places.</p> <p>Billions of dollars from opioid settlements are being paid out by drug manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to address the overdose crisis. Most of this money is landing in the hands of state and local governments to support public health initiatives such as housing, prevention, and access to treatment. But the lack of direct compensation for people affected by the overdose crisis has left many survivors feeling sidelined.</p> <div class='code-block code-block-1' style='margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;'> <script type="text/javascript"> atOptions = { 'key' : 'f40a503bbbcf1f943bf985f798edfc97', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 250, 'width' : 300, 'params' : {} }; </script> </div> <p>KFF Health News senior correspondent Aneri Pattani appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” on May 28 to explain why governments are facing pressure to use this windfall effectively to save lives and address the ongoing opioid crisis.</p> <p><em>KFF Health News audio producers Zach Dyer and Taylor Cook contributed reporting to this segment.</em></p> <div class='code-block code-block-1' style='margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;'> <script type="text/javascript"> atOptions = { 'key' : 'f40a503bbbcf1f943bf985f798edfc97', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 250, 'width' : 300, 'params' : {} }; </script> </div> <p>KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.</p> <h3>USE OUR CONTENT</h3> <p>This story can be republished for free (details).</p> <div class='code-block code-block-1' style='margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;'> <script type="text/javascript"> atOptions = { 'key' : 'f40a503bbbcf1f943bf985f798edfc97', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 250, 'width' : 300, 'params' : {} }; </script> </div> <p>
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