Opioid settlement funds could bridge some health gaps

September 29, 2026 - 03:12

When Maura Healey served as Massachusetts attorney general, she took legal action in July 2021 against companies that made, distributed, and sold prescription opioids. The state argued that their practices helped fuel a nationwide addiction crisis that has cost countless lives. The lawsuit named major drugmakers and distributors, including Johnson and Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal, and AmerisourceBergen.

The case ended with a settlement worth more than $1 billion. That money is now arriving in communities across Massachusetts, and officials are deciding how to spend it. Many public health experts say the funds should go toward treatment programs, harm reduction services, and mental health support for people struggling with addiction.

Some advocates argue the money could also help close broader gaps in the health care system. Rural areas and low income neighborhoods often lack adequate access to doctors, counselors, and recovery centers. Redirecting settlement dollars to those places could make a lasting difference.

The challenge is making sure the money is used wisely and reaches the people who need it most. Lawmakers and local leaders face pressure to avoid repeating past mistakes, when settlement funds from tobacco lawsuits were sometimes diverted away from public health. How Massachusetts manages this windfall could set an example for other states dealing with the same problem.