House Dems call on leadership to prioritize opioid epidemic

More than 60 House Democrats are urging leadership to make the opioid crisis a top priority in the new Congress. 

The Democrats said Congress should dedicate more funding and staff to addressing the crisis, which killed 47,600 people in 2017. 

{mosads}”At a time when our state and local partners are begging for federal assistance to combat the opioid crisis in their communities, Congress must answer the call through increased resources, creative solutions, and with more legislative staff,” the Democrats wrote in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. “Dedicated staff across House committees capable of analyzing both the larger federal need and specifics from states and districts is necessary at this point.” 

Congress passed a massive bill last session increasing access to treatment and recovery, but Democrats and some Republicans wanted more funding for the crisis. 

“Despite previous Congressional efforts to provide more resources to combat the opioid crisis to states and communities across this nation, there is much more to do,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio,), who led the letter, along with Reps. Ann Kuster (D-N.H.) and Donald Norcross (D-N.J.).

“To build on local, regional, or state successes, it is vital we prioritize substantial and comprehensive measures and strategies.”