A single court case in North Carolina is holding skilled nursing facilities accountable to adopt anti-discrimination policies for those with a history of substance use. In this episode: Sally Friedman, part of the team behind this lawsuit, explains the case and why it could set a national precedent for the just treatment of people who use substances in health care.

Sally Friedman, JD, is the Senior Vice President of Legal Advocacy at the Legal Action Center, where she leads a team of attorneys and paralegals that help over 1,500 clients annually to access jobs, housing, health care, and other basic rights.

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.

• Nursing facilities can't blanket ban people with addiction history, per N.C. settlement—STAT

• Q&A with Disability Rights North Carolina's Sara Harrington and Dane Mullis—Legal Action Center

• Disability Rights North Carolina—http://disabilityrightsnc.org

• Discrimination Against Patients With Substance Use Disorder in Health Care Settings—Public Health On Call (January 2024)

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