Three Meehan Bills Pass House in Final Opioid Package

Press Release

The House of Representatives today approved S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation -- the result of a House-Senate conference committee to reconcile legislation passed by both chambers -- includes three pieces of legislation championed by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.)

Included in the House-passed opioid package approved today:

The John Thomas Decker Act¸ introduced by Meehan earlier this year, will help will help prevent addiction among young athletes prescribed painkillers for injuries suffered on the playing field.

A provision making permanent the authorization for federal support for specialized veterans' treatment courts. Meehan has long championed veterans' courts and introduced legislation to permanently authorize federal funding for the courts.

Authorization for Medicare prescription drug plans to establish drug management programs. The policy ensures that seniors have appropriate access to medications while aiming to reduce misuse and abuse of prescriptions with a high potential for psychological or physical dependence. Meehan introduced similar legislation in the House in March.

Meehan spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation before the vote this morning. The legislation was approved with a bipartisan 407-5 vote.

"Opioid addiction is a challenge that has grown into a crisis and it's overwhelming our local communities and first responders," said Congressman Meehan following today's vote. "The statistics on overdose deaths are astounding and horrifying -- 120 people each day lost to addiction and abuse. But behind each of those statistics are the victims -- sons and daughters, friends and neighbors.

"John Decker is one of those victims. So much in this legislation will help keep those at risk off the path to addiction. It will help those in need get care and treatment. It will aid veterans coping with PTSD and other challenges get the help they need. And it will help individuals in crisis recover and live healthy, fulfilling lives. Simply put, it will save lives."

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve with my colleagues on the conference committee and I'm pleased by its product. There is still much to be done to address the opioid addiction crisis, but this legislation is a big step forward in helping our communities cope and respond," Meehan said.

Among other provisions, it authorizes federal grants to states and local communities to address opioid addiction and abuse. It creates an interagency task force to address chronic and pain management care. It will help get medications that reverse opioid addiction into the hands of patients that need it.

The conference report has earned the support of some 200 leading advocacy and treatment groups from across the country.

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