Albertsons Opioid Settlement Could Bring Texas Up to $57.8 Million
Texas joined a multistate settlement in which the grocery chain will pay more than $773 million nationally. Cities and counties must sign on by Dec. 30 to share in the money.
Texas could receive up to $57.8 million to fight opioid addiction under a multistate settlement with grocery chain Albertsons, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday. Once final, the settlement would require Albertsons to pay more than $773 million nationally over its role in the opioid crisis.
"I will continue to go after Big Pharma or any other bad actor that jeopardizes the health of Texans," Paxton said.
Where the money goes
Money from statewide opioid settlements in Texas must be spent on opioid abatement, and the Texas Opioid Council oversees it, the attorney general's office said. Paxton's office says it has obtained more than $3.3 billion in opioid settlements from drugmakers and other companies. The attorney general's settlement page says the Albertsons deal brings Texas' combined share of all opioid settlements to $3.358 billion.
Local governments must sign on
Cities, counties and other local governments in Texas must sign on to share in the money. The attorney general's office says subdivisions must submit a participation form by Dec. 30, 2026. Those that have not adopted the Texas Term Sheet must do that first. Joining lets them receive direct payments and grants from the Texas Opioid Council.
Local officials should watch for information from the National Opioid Settlement Administrator or contact their attorneys.
No admission of wrongdoing
Albertsons first announced a settlement framework of about $774 million in April. In that company announcement, it said the settlement "is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability." Albertsons joins the pharmacy chains CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Kroger, which reached earlier opioid settlements, according to the attorney general's office. Crossroads Today also reported the Texas share.
Money is not the cure
Settlement checks cannot bring back the Texans lost to overdoses. They can pay for treatment, prevention and recovery, if officials spend them wisely and openly. Taxpayers should ask local leaders whether they have signed on and what the money will buy.
Paxton's office has also gone after companies over children's health, including its lawsuit against Gerber and Nestle. For more on state health spending, see our report on $78 million in rural health grants.
Hero photo: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (license).
