[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 184 (Thursday, December 17, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H9378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

  (Mrs. WALORSKI asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, our country is in the midst of a 
prescription drug epidemic. Fifty Americans die each day from 
prescription drug overdoses. The epidemic is also affecting our 
Nation's veterans, who, in some VA facilities, are being overprescribed 
medications.
  To combat this growing problem, my home State of Indiana and others 
have created statewide databases that collect data on medications 
prescribed to patients. It requires doctors and nurses to check patient 
records in the database before prescribing painkillers.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, VA facilities are not required by law to 
participate and have been known to overprescribe powerful medications.
  Today, I introduced legislation requiring all Veteran Administration 
Medical Centers to participate in their corresponding statewide drug 
monitoring program. Requiring VA facilities to comply will help ensure 
that veterans are not being overprescribed powerful pain medication.
  As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I take the 
well-being of each Hoosier veteran very seriously, and they deserve 
high-quality health care.
  I also want to thank Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller for his 
commitment to fighting this epidemic in our State.

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