Representatives from Independence joined distinguished experts from the region for Philadelphia Media Network’s “The Opioid Forum: An Rx for the Workplace"
Independence Blue Cross Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Richard L. Snyder, M.D., joined a panel of experts to discuss one of the region’s most tragic public health crises — the epidemic of opioid abuse. The panel was part of a forum hosted by Philadelphia Media Network, the parent company of The Philadelphia Inquirer, titled The Opioid Forum: An Rx for the Workplace.
Moderated by the Inquirer’s business and health editors, Karl Stark and Charlotte Sutton, the expert panel examined how the opioid epidemic affects the workplace and provided insight into the financial burden that the epidemic has created for Philadelphia businesses. The panel also provided information on how employers could support employees who are struggling with their own addiction or that of loved ones.
In addition to Dr. Snyder, the panel included the following distinguished experts:
- Tad Decker, Vice Chairman, Cozen O’Connor
- Caroline Johnson, Acting Deputy Health Commissioner, City of Philadelphia
- Joseph Ranieri, Medical Director, Seabrook House
- Gary Tuggle, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Philadelphia Division
In advance of the forum, The Philadelphia Inquirer published on Sunday, May 14, a special section on the opioid crisis.