House Passes More Legislation to Fight the Opioid Crisis

Today, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act of 2018 to help fight the country's opioid crisis. The vote was 396-14.

It requires state Medicaid programs to have safety procedures in place for opioid refills and the monitoring of opioid prescriptions and other drugs.

It also spurs the development of nonopioid drugs that will help patients treat pain and requires a review of opioid prescriptions for those who become new patients under Medicare.

Finally, the legislation authorizes grants to state and local agencies so they can establish labs to detect fentanyl and synthetic opioids.

The legislation is part of the House's work in June passing more than 30 bills to fight the opioid epidemic.

Congressman John Moolenaar voted for today's legislation and made the following statement:

"In the past two weeks, the House has passed vital legislation to fight the opioid crisis in our country. From my meetings with patients, families, health care professionals, and community leaders I know they want this legislation and funding to help them recover from addiction and combat the epidemic in their towns. I urge the Senate to swiftly take up this legislation and help Michigan families who have been hurt by opioid addiction."

###