Promoting Responsible Opioid Management and Incorporating Scientific Expertise Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member. I appreciate it.

I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 4063, the Promoting Responsible Opioid Management and Incorporating Scientific Expertise, or the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act.

This important bill helps us fulfill our promise to past, current, and future veterans, our true American heroes, Mr. Speaker.

I introduced the PROMISE Act in response to the tragic death of Marine Corps Corporal Jason Simcakoski at the Tomah, Wisconsin, VA Medical Center.

Jason's death, caused by a mixed drug toxicity and the combination of various medications, was an avoidable tragedy. My colleagues and I worked with local veterans, veterans organizations, and other stakeholders to get this done right.

I am honored to discuss the need for this bill in the presence of Jason's family, who join us in the Capitol on this memorable day. We could not do it without them.

The PROMISE Act can't bring Jason and others like him back. But, like Jason's family expressed to me, this will ensure future veterans get the treatment they need for their physical and invisible wounds.

Currently, VA treatment for chronic pain is largely the prescription of opioids without consideration of a patient's personal history or preferences. Unfortunately, there is a lack of data on veteran opioid use. There are also inefficiencies in the VA identifying abuse of opioids and with patient follow-up to determine effectiveness of these drugs on a case-by-case basis.

The PROMISE Act is the congressional action needed to rectify these problems. The PROMISE Act increases safety for opioid therapy and pain management, ensures more transparency at the VA, and encourages more outreach and awareness of the patient advocacy program for veterans.

My bill also acknowledges that VA patient services do not stop at the initial consultation. It requires the VA to maintain realtime tracking of data on opioid use to help prevent overmedication and misuse or overuse of medication.

I want to thank Speaker Ryan; Representative Butterfield, of course; our great chairman, Mr. Miller from Florida, a real good friend of mine; Representative Kind, Representative Rice, and many others who supported this bill and worked to make this happen.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill to uphold our commitment and promise to those that pay the ultimate sacrifice.

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