Summary: Willow Park has joined Texas Attorney General's Office in the newest opioid crisis settlement with the retail pharmacy of Kroger. For the last decade, the TxAG has been involved in the "remediation and abatement of the impacts of the opioid crisis." The recent settlement with Kroger brings Texas’ combined share to almost $3 billion..."
• Latest Update: posted 17 December 2024
• Tags: #Finance
• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.
Opioid Settlements, Willow Park's participation since 2021. Most recent November 2024.
Willow Park has joined Texas Attorney General's Office (TxAG) in the newest opioid crisis settlement with the retail pharmacy of Kroger. [1, 5]
For the last decade, the Texas Attorney General's Office (TxAG) has been involved in the "remediation and abatement of the impacts of the opioid crisis." [1]
As of the end of 2024, "Nationally, the agreements reached with manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies provide for over $50 billion in payments for states and local governments. Funding is distributed to states according to the allocation agreement reached among the Attorneys General. A subdivisions can only participate in the agreements if their state participates. The recent settlement with Kroger brings Texas’ combined share to almost $3 billion..." [1]
As early as November 2021 [2], the City of Willow Park joined the TxAG by opting-in to "settlements reached by the Texas Attorney General [which] increases the State of Texas' opportunity to maximize its share of opioid settlement funds and will provide a method to ensure that needed resources reach communities once all negotiations are finalized."
During the 08 March 2022 Council Meeting, Willow Park joined the TxAG in a settlement with with Endo Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals [3]
During the 14 February 2023 Council Meeting, Willow Park joined the TxAG in a settlement with with Allergan, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart, [4]
And in the most recent 10 December 2024 Council Meeting, Willow Park joined the TxAG in a settlement with pharmacy of Kroger. [5]
Willow Park Civics Research:
[1] Texas Attorney General > Opioid Crisis,
[1] Attorney General of Texas > Global Opioid Settlement:
Excerpts
• "Texas, along with a broad coalition of states and subdivisions, has now reached final agreements with eleven companies to resolve legal claims for their role in the opioid crisis.
• The newest agreement is with retail pharmacy Kroger.
• Four agreements are with opioid manufacturers Johnson & Johnson, Endo, Teva, and Allergan.
• There is a separate agreement with three major pharmaceutical distributors: AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson, as well as a settlement reached through bankruptcy with Mallinckrodt, a manufacturer and distributor.
• Finally, there are three separate settlements with pharmacies CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart."
"Nationally, the agreements reached with manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies provide for over $50 billion in payments for states and local governments. Funding is distributed to states according to the allocation agreement reached among the Attorneys General. A subdivisions can only participate in the agreements if their state participates. The recent settlement with Kroger brings Texas’ combined share to almost $3 billion..."
[2] 09 November 2021 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 09 November 2021, Agenda Item 11. Discussion/Action a Resolution Joining the State of Texas and Political Subdivisions as a party in the Texas Opioid Settlement Agreement; Authorizing City Manager to execute settlement
• Background:
On May 13, 2020, the State of Texas, through the Office of the Attorney General, and a negotiation group for Texas political subdivisions entered into an agreement entitled Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council and Settlement Allocation Term Sheet (hereafter, the Texas Term Sheet) approving the allocation of all opioid settlement funds within the State of Texas.
The City Attorney and the State of Texas have recommended that the City Council of the City of Willow Park support the adoption and approval of the Texas Term Sheet in its entirety. By participating in the Texas Term Sheet increases the State of Texas' opportunity to maximize its share of opioid settlement funds and will provide a method to ensure that needed resources reach communities once all negotiations are finalized.
Attached is the Texas Term Sheet and a one page summary of the Settlement from the Texas Attorney General. Additional support documents are available if needed.
Suggested Motion: I move the City of Willow Park adopt and approve of the Texas Term Sheet and authorize the City Manager to execute participation forms as it relates to the Settlement.
• Exhibits: [in.pdf]
• Resolution
• TxAG Summary of Proposed Attorney General Opioid Settlements
• Exhibit A Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council And Settlement Allocation Term Sheet and Opioid Abatement Fund (Texas) Settlement Opioid Council
• Exhibit B: Municipal Arca Allocations: 15% of Total ($150 million) > Parker County $476,251
• Exhibit C: TX Opioid Council & Health Care Region Allocations plus Administrative Costs 70% of Total ($700 million)
[3] 08 March 2022 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 05 March 2022, Agenda Item 9. Discussion/Action: The City Council shall consider participation in the settlements reached by the Texas Attorney General with Endo Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals and authorize the City Administrator to sign election and release forms and any other documents necessary to participate in the settlements.
[3a] Paxton Secures $63 Million Statewide Opioid Settlement, Texas Attorney General, posted 23 December 2021, Excerpts
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a $63 million statewide opioid settlement with Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The agreement will largely track the terms of the Global Prescription Opioid Litigation Settlement Agreement that was announced on July 23, 2021.
[3b] Opioids Maker Teva Agrees to $4.25 billion settlement: Preliminary Agreement Will Provide Cash and Naloxone to Address Opioids Crisis, Texas Attorney General, posted 29 July 2022, Excerpts
Attorney General Paxton has reached an agreement on key financial terms with opioid maker Teva, which would provide up to $4.25 billion to participating states and local governments.
[3b] Paxton Reaches Another Opioid Settlement for Texas; $225 Million Against Teva, Texas Attorney General, posted 07 February 2022, Excerpts
[4] 14 February 2023 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 12 February 2023, Agenda Item 12. Discussion/Action: to consider and take action on authorizing the opt-in of the City of Willow Park in the settlements reached by the Texas Attorney General with Allergan, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documentation necessary to participate in the settlements, including execution of the Subdivision Participation Forms.
(See The Community News review of council meeting linked in header.)
Background: The Office of the Texas Attorney General announced proposed settlements have been reached with Allergan, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart, with Allergan paying $135 million, CVS paying $304 million, Walgreens paying $340 million and Walmart paying $170 million (collectively the “Settlement Amount”), to Texas and its political subdivisions. Of the Settlement Amount, the vast majority is earmarked for use by Texas and its political subdivisions to remediate and abate the impacts of the opioid crisis. The actual amount that Texas and the political subdivisions will receive will depend upon the participation of cities, counties and other political subdivisions of the State.
[5] 10 December 2024 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 06 December 2024, Agenda Item 5. Discussion/Action: on authorizing the opt-in of the City of Willow Park in the settlements reached by the Texas Attorney General with Kroger and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documentation necessary to participate in the settlement, including execution of the Subdivision Participation Form
• Background:
The Office of the Texas Attorney General announced a proposed settlement with Kroger, who is paying the sum of $83 million (the “Settlement Amount”), to Texas and its political subdivisions. Of the Settlement Amount, the vast majority is earmarked for use by Texas and its political subdivisions to remediate and abate the impacts of the opioid crisis.* At this time, the total amount of the payment to the City of Willow Park is undetermined since it will depend on the number of political subdivisions that opt-in. The deadline to opt in to the settlement is December 29, 2024. Please find attached the information sheet from the Texas Attorney General's office as well as the participation forms for the settlement.
• Exhibits: • Kroger Settlement Statement • Subdivision Participation Form • Allocation Term Sheet
[5a] Attorney General Ken Paxton Secures $83 Million Settlement for Texas, Holding Kroger Accountable for Role in Opioid Epidemic, Attorney General of Texas, 14 November 14, 2024
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