Congresswoman Matsui Statement on House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Markup of Opioid Abuse Reduction Bills

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) issued the following statement at the House Energy and Commerce, Health Subcommittee markup of twelve bills that address the opioid and drug abuse epidemic:

"Many of us sitting on this subcommittee are experiencing the devastating impacts of the opioid abuse and heroin epidemic right in our own districts.

This crisis has recently hit home for me. A dangerous substance called Fentanyl has been linked to over 50 overdoses in Sacramento and its surrounding counties since just late March, with many of these overdoses resulting in the tragic deaths of my constituents.

What is happening in Sacramento is reflective of what is happening nationally and we must act by approaching the problem from all angles. That means taking a comprehensive approach, one that puts resources towards prevention, as well as treatment, education, and crisis services.

I'm pleased that we are working today to advance several bills that will do just that.

When discussing ways to address the opioid epidemic, I believe we need to do so by looking at our behavioral system as a whole. As I've said many times before in this Committee, addiction and mental illnesses cannot by detached from physical health and we need to work to strengthen our systems in a way that makes both preventive care and treatment available when they're needed.

I strongly believe in the potential of the Excellence in Mental Health demonstration project that I authored with my colleague Congressman Lance to truly increase access to community-based services for both mental illness and substance use disorder. Community behavioral health clinics are on the ground helping families face the devastating consequences of this epidemic every day. We need to bolster them and encourage behavioral health integration within the health system. The Excellence in Mental Health demonstration projects will be a unique proving ground for that idea, which is why I am working with Rep. Lance and my colleagues in the Senate to expand the demonstration.

Above all, as we advance these opioid bills to full Committee and continue our important conversation on comprehensive behavioral health reform, we must remain focused on solutions that both address the immediate crisis and emphasize long-term community prevention strategies.

Together, we can ensure that our loved ones get the care that they need and deserve."

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