Impact of prenatal substance use policies on commercially insured pregnant females with opioid use disorder
Supportive prenatal substance use policies that created/funded targeted substance use disorder treatment programs led to reductions in opioid overdoses and increases in the use of opioid use disorder medications for pregnant people.
Our findings suggest that supportive approaches that enhance access to SUD treatment may effectively reduce adverse maternal outcomes associated with prenatal opioid use. In contrast, punitive approaches may have harmful effects. These findings support leading medical organizations’ stance on PSUPs, which advocate for supportive policies that are centered on increased access to SUD treatment and safeguard against discrimination and stigmatization. They also oppose punitive policies, as they may intensify marginalization of pregnant females with OUD seeking treatment.
Published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.