Kilmer Supports Bipartisan Bill to Help Americans and Families Hit by Opioid Epidemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) voted to approve bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help Americans hit by the opioid epidemic. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act passed the House by a vote of 407-5 and contains many initiatives and provisions to help those suffering from opioid and heroin abuse.
Both the House and the Senate previously passed bills to address the problem. A Conference Committee met and sent the revised text to both chambers for consideration. The act now heads to the Senate for approval.
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 18,893 people died from an opioid overdose in 2014 and 10,574 died from a heroin overdose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also report that 78 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose – and deaths from the epidemic have surpassed the number of Americans killed in motor vehicle accidents each year.
“Too many folks have felt the impact of heroin and opioid abuse,” said Kilmer. “This scourge has led to overcrowded jails, overwhelmed medical professionals and emergency responders, and families who simply want to do more to help their loved ones. I’m glad we have come together to pass legislation to help stop the spread of this epidemic. This is a good step but we can do more. It’s why I’m a cosponsor of a bill that targets the right investments in the right programs to help those struggling with addiction and looking to break it.”
The legislation includes, among the new initiatives, a requirement that the VA more effectively track opioid use by veterans, modification of drug prescribing practices to reduce the availability of opioids that could be abused and an increase in the use of overdose reversal drugs, along, with allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to administer medication-assisted treatment.
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act is supported by 230 organizations including the American Psychological Association, Police Foundation, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions for America.
Kilmer has pushed Congress to address the problem of opioid and heroin abuse. He led the introduction of a bill to honor President Obama’s budget request for much-needed resources to increase treatment programs to help address the crisis. He’s also pushed for an increase in access to critical opioid overdose medication and prevention tools, in particular for rural areas. Kilmer called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand grants and programs that make naloxone kits more readily available to qualified personnel and organizations. Naloxone is a prescription medication that prevents opioid overdoses from becoming fatal.
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