Racial and ethnic differences in medications for opioid use disorder and overdose in 11 state Medicaid programs from 2016 to 2020

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Racial and ethnic differences in access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) persist among Medicaid enrollees, particularly for buprenorphine, despite overall increases in MOUD utilization from 2016 to 2020. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Julie M. Donohue; Bill Wang; Lu Tang; Joo Yeon Kim; Stefanie Junker; Evan Cole; Chung-Chou H. Chang; Eric Roberts; J. Deanna Wilson; Utibe R. Essien; Katie Gifford; Lindsey Hammerslag; Teja Thorat; Jeffery Talbert; David Idala; Shamis Mohamoud; Sarah Clark; Anna E. Austin; Daejun Park; Krystel Tossone; Aimee Mack; Carrie Fry; Adam J. Gordon; Andrew Barnes; Sarah Marks; Peter Cunningham; Lindsay Allen; Marguerite Burns; Susan Kennedy

doi:10.1016/j.josat.2026.209924

Key Points

This research investigates racial and ethnic disparities in access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) across different Medicaid programs.
Analyzed data from 11 state Medicaid programs from 2016 to 2020.
Examined trends in MOUD prescription rates among various racial and ethnic groups.
MOUD rates increased for all racial and ethnic groups between 2016 and 2020.
Significant disparities in MOUD prescription, particularly for buprenorphine, remained across racial and ethnic lines.

Implication

Analysis of Medicaid programs reveals ongoing racial disparities in opioid use disorder treatment access from 2016 to 2020, highlighting areas for improvement.

Abstract

MOUD increased among all racial and ethnic groups in 11 state Medicaid programs from 2016 to 2020. Yet, racial and ethnic differences in MOUD persisted, especially for buprenorphine. Our findings can inform Medicaid efforts to improve access to MOUD for all enrollees affected by OUD.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Donohue et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ada804bc08abd80d5bb1e0 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.josat.2026.209924

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Racial and ethnic differences in medications for opioid use disorder and overdose in 11 state Medicaid programs from 2016 to 2020

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Racial and ethnic differences in medications for opioid use disorder and overdose in 11 state Medicaid programs from 2016 to 2020

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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