[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               AMERICANS STRUGGLING WITH OPIOID ADDICTION

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 2017

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this country faces a 
terrible opioid epidemic that must be confronted head on. In 2015 
alone, 33,091 Americans died from opioid overdose. The use of illegal, 
destructive drugs like heroin and the abuse of prescription drugs like 
oxycodone and hydrocodone are keeping hardworking Americans out of 
commission.
  As members of the United States House of Representatives, it is our 
duty to prevent such senseless tragedies from occurring. In 2015, a 
total of $36 billion was spent on addiction treatment, and only a 
fraction of those needing treatment were able to receive it. However, 
the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) allocates only $2 billion for 
opioid addiction treatment, falling remarkably short of what is needed. 
BCRA would cut Medicaid by $772 billion, robbing those with the 
greatest need of aid.
  This will have catastrophic repercussions for the millions of opioid 
addicts that rely on Medicaid for treatment. If enacted, this 
legislation will strip 22 million Americans of their health insurance 
and deprive many of the individuals battling opioid addiction of 
treatment. This Senate proposal will not solve the opioid crisis; it 
will do irrevocable harm to American families.
  In my home state of Texas, there were 2,588 drug overdose deaths in 
2015. This is inexcusable. In the future we must ensure that all 
individuals suffering from addiction and mental illness are given 
access to the proper resources and treatment. It is imperative that 
Congress provide sufficient relief for the millions of Americans 
struggling with opioid addiction, or thousands of more lives will be 
lost.

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