E&C Takes its Work Home to Combat the Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – While members were back in their districts the last two weeks, efforts to combat the opioid crisis continued to be front and center. From meetings with patients and local stakeholders to holding panel discussions about the crisis and pending legislation, Energy and Commerce Committee members continued to gain more insight into the evolving crisis.

#SubHealth Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) encouraged his constituents to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, calling it “an opportunity for all of us to help in the fight against the opioid crisis.”

While visiting Eastern Washington, House Republican Conference Chair, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) addressed local leaders about the new opioid funding included in the recent government funding bill.

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) participated in a community listening session on the opioid crisis. In his remarks, he told the participants, “This epidemic doesn’t cherry pick between republicans and democrats. We all need to come together and get relief to our communities and families devastated by this terrible problem.”

Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA) met with stakeholders in her district about the crisis.

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) held a number of events in his district, including a visit to Jackson High School in his district, as part of a school assembly educating students on the dangers of opioid use. In a separate event, a panel discussion on the crisis, Rep. Walberg also stressed the systemic nature of the epidemic, saying, “Three out of four new heroin users abuse opioids the first time. It’s all over.”

#SubDCCP Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH) spoke with students about a number of issues before Congress, including efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) spoke about his efforts to combat the opioid crisis while visiting the Clarksburg Rotary, highlighting his own legislation and the committee’s ongoing efforts. “Congress gets it,” he told the Rotarians.

Some of Rep. Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) legislation to combat the opioid crisis was the subject of an editorial by the Tulsa World. They called it “common sense” and a good way to help control “the illegal abuse of prescription drugs without hurting legitimate patients or their doctors.”

Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) held a “Connect with your Congresswoman” event that touched on the opioid crisis and Congress’ efforts to stem the tide.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) visited a local substance abuse rehabilitation center to learn more about the work they do on a daily basis. “Serenity House is a great example of that and a beacon of hope for people struggling with addiction. I’ll continue to support our local experts and work with them and others on the frontlines to confront these challenges in our community,” said Rep. Hudson.

Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) participated in a local event with health leaders about the opioid crisis and other issues in the health care space.

In a meeting with local law enforcement and state legislators, #FullCmte Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) spoke about the scale of the opioid crisis, the rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, and the committee’s bipartisan investigation into alleged pill dumping in West Virginia.

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) addresses the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. He highlighted the growing struggle about not just boosting our prevention efforts, but also how to treat those battling addiction right now.

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) discussed current events with the Ironton Tribune. In talking about his efforts to combat the opioid crisis, Rep. Johnson detailed his legislation that focuses on pain treatment, saying, “It’s designed to provide funding to institutions training health care providers on how to manage pain and the dangers of overprescribing opioids.”

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) shared a recent meeting centered on helping those battling opioid addiction retain employment.

To learn more about Energy and Commerce’s comprehensive efforts to combat the opioid crisis, click HERE.

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