A $56 billion opioid settlement, the largest in U.S. history, was reached between opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other entities involved in the opioid epidemic, which claimed the lives of an estimated 645,000 people between 1991 and 2021. The money paid out by companies, including three major wholesalers and Johnson & Johnson, will be used to address the nationwide opioid crisis as funding for treatment providers. The opioid epidemic has caused significant strain on the healthcare system, and the settlement brings hope for a path forward in addressing this complex public health crisis. As providers struggle to meet the increasing demand for services, funding will allow them to reach a greater number of individuals who are suffering from opioid addictions.

