[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 113 (Friday, July 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 5102 SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER WORKFORCE LOAN REPAYMENT 
                              ACT OF 2018

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 6, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5102, 
the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018.
  H.R. 5102 would establish a loan repayment program for mental health 
professionals practicing in areas with few mental health providers or 
with high death rates from overdose.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill will amend the Public Health Service Act to 
create a loan repayment program for individuals who complete a period 
of service in a substance use disorder treatment job in a mental health 
professional shortage area and counties where the drug overdose death 
rate is higher than the national average.
  This bill authorizes $25 million per year over fiscal years 2019-
2028.
  H.R. 5102 will strengthen America's substance abuse treatment 
workforce and provide for greater access to care for patients who need 
it the most.
  Mr. Speaker, the current trends of substance abuse in the U.S. are 
startling.
  A Columbia University study found that over 40 million Americans age 
12 and over meet the clinical criteria for drug addiction and abuse.
  As substance abuse rates and death from overdose rates increase, 
studies project a shortage of 85,000 physicians in 2020--the impact of 
which will be the most devastating in rural communities.
  In my home state of Texas, 10.1 people die per 100,000 in the 
population from drug overdoses.
  In 2016, in Houston there were 364 drug overdose related deaths 
reported.
  H.R. 5102 addresses these critical issues by providing an additional 
path for health care providers to practice in rural and underserved 
communities, ultimately giving greater access to care for those 
suffering from substance use disorder.
  This piece of legislation will strengthen rural health care systems 
and will improve access to care for patients in these rural 
communities.
  Mr. Speaker, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act 
of 2018 will help build a well-equipped workforce to combat the current 
rise in substance use disorders.

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