Ford Event Tomorrow at Malcolm X College to Highlight Opioid Overdose Crisis and Upcoming Medicaid Redetermination

CHICAGO – As part of continuing efforts to combat the challenges posed by the opioid epidemic, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is partnering with state and local organizations to build Medicaid redetermination awareness, provide Narcan training, and offer other resources at an event scheduled for Friday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to noon at Malcolm X College’s Auditorium, located at 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago.

“Fatal overdoses are tearing apart families and devastating communities,” Ford said. “We face significant challenges in the fight against addiction and we must work together if we want to overcome them – especially as Medicaid redetermination nears and people may be forced off of their coverage. I am appreciative of the proactive, lifesaving work that the West and South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Forces, the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP) and health departments are doing to try to prevent these unnecessary tragedies.”

Ford will be joined by the Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Human Services, IAMHP and the West and South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Forces for Friday’s event, titled “We are in This Together: A Community and Legislative Update on the Opioid Overdose Crisis in Chicago.” In addition to a press conference at the beginning, the event will include vendors, speakers, resources and Narcan training.

Friday’s event will also focus on upcoming Medicaid redetermination beginning in May and how it may lead to a possible increase in fatal overdoses for affected Medicaid enrollees who may lose their coverage.

For more information, please contact RepFord@LaShawnFord.com.