[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 170 (Monday, October 28, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1350-E1351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUPPORT ACT

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                          HON. ADAM KINZINGER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2019

  Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the one-year 
anniversary of

[[Page E1351]]

the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act being signed into law. The 
SUPPORT Act was the most comprehensive law ever enacted by Congress to 
take on a drug crisis--a bold response to an opioid epidemic that has 
affected every corner of our country.
  The SUPPORT Act took big strides in addressing the crisis by 
expanding access to treatment and recovery services, providing 
communities with the tools and resources they need to be successful on 
the front lines, ensuring we have effective systems in place to keep 
these powerful drugs from getting into the wrong hands, and more.
  I was proud to have my legislation, the Opioid Addiction Action Plan 
Act, included in the final package. My bill requires a comprehensive 
look at government practices--including reimbursement, coverage, and 
data collection--and allows us to find alternate methods of treating 
pain through innovation by making Medicare and Medicaid more flexible, 
adaptable, and focused on preventing and treating addiction.
  The SUPPORT Act recognized that while this crisis has reached every 
zip code, a one-size-fits-all approach won't remedy the issue 
effectively, and that's where the role of community comes into play. I 
believe community is at the heart of many issues facing our nation 
right now and is a key component for those struggling with opioid 
addiction.
  Having a support network and a sense of belonging is important to all 
of us, so it is imperative that on a community level we guide those who 
are fighting addiction, whether that be a family member, neighbor, or a 
compassionate stranger. The SUPPORT Act helps communities do just that, 
by propping up community organizations with technical or financial 
assistance, establishing peer support networks, and distributing best 
practices for those on the front lines within the community, like 
health professionals or law enforcement.
  As a society, we must do better to ensure those who are struggling 
know that they are not alone, and that they have a team of support 
around them. The stigma surrounding substance use disorders is real and 
detrimental to those who need help or are trying to rebuild their 
lives. The language we use to talk about them is incredibly important 
to breaking the stigma. We wouldn't define a person with cancer or 
Parkinson's by their disease and addiction is no different.
  The SUPPORT Act was a giant leap in the right direction, and while we 
are already seeing real results, we must continue to work together, 
from Congress down to the community leaders, to help those who are 
struggling and end this devastating crisis for good.

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