Molina Healthcare of Washington Supports National Tribal Opioid Summit
Rhonda Frazier, Rhonda.Frazier@MolinaHealthCare.Com, (562) 980-3849
TULALIP, Wash., August 29, 2023 – Molina Healthcare of Washington (“Molina”) recently presented $10,000 to the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) in support of the National Tribal Opioid Summit, which took place August 22 – 24 in Tulalip, Washington. The conference, hosted by the NPAIHB and northwest tribes, focused on addressing the fentanyl crisis within tribal communities in Washington.
According to the NPAIHB, while substance use and overdoses have increased significantly among tribal populations, synthetic opioids have become a major threat to the health and well-being of tribal citizens.
“Molina shares the NPAIHB’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of those in the tribal community,” said Dr. Jay Fathi, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Washington. “That’s why we’re proud to have sponsored this event where attendees could learn more about recovery solutions and programs that have been proven effective within tribal communities, so that we can move forward to solve this critical epidemic together.”
The conference also featured discussions on policy recommendations, the Tribal Opioid Response: National Strategic Agenda and the development of a legislative tool kit. Molina also provided attendees with health care items and health care resource and information.
“The National Tribal Opioid Conference served as a crucial platform for indigenous communities to collaboratively address the opioid crisis and share experiences and strategies to combat its devastating impact,” said Libby Hein, director of behavioral health of Molina Healthcare of Washington. “By fostering dialogue and knowledge, the conference empowered tribes to implement culturally sensitive interventions and support systems to alleviate opioid-related challenges.”
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About Molina Healthcare of Washington:
Molina Healthcare of Washington has been providing government-funded health care for over 20 years. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Benefit Exchange programs throughout Washington. Additionally, Molina Healthcare of Washington operates a primary care clinic in Everett (MyHealth Everett) and a mobile health unit (MyHealth Mobile) in the Spokane area. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 5.2 million members as of June 30, 2023. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Washington, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About NPAIHB
Established in 1972, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB or the Board) is a non-profit tribal advisory organization serving the forty-three federally recognized tribes of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Our mission is to eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high quality healthcare. NPAIHB is located in Multnomah County, Oregon and rests on the traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, and Clackamas bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River.