10 QUESTIONS WITH
PAM KEHALY
The president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona discusses the opioid crisis 1. We know opioid addiction is a problem nationwide, but can you tell us more about the situation in Arizona? Suspected opioid overdoses and deaths continue to rise in Arizona. The total number of deaths (counted since 2017) jumped 55 percent in the past few months, from 1,645 in August 2018 to 2,547 in November 2018. Beyond the numbers, which rise daily, is the economic and societal toll, including the devastation of families. There are people, and those who love them, behind each of these numbers, with stories of loss and fear. Misuse of opioids crosses age, race, class, gender, politics and neighborhoods. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) believes this is an all-of-us problem that requires an all-of-us solution.
6 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JANUARY 2019
2. What is the Mobilize AZ initiative, and what is it trying to accomplish? Mobilize AZ is a multi-faceted program focused on improving Arizona’s overall health status in three specific areas: substance overuse, mental health and diabetes. In all three of these focus areas, Arizonans’ health outcomes are poorer than the national average. The substance-overuse initiative specifically is aimed at addressing the misuse of opioids and other substances to reduce overdose-related deaths in Arizona. BCBSAZ is investing $10 million over three years in this initiative for prevention, treatment and recovery programs to help providers, the community and local organizations fight the opioid epidemic.