Amid Secretary Price's visit to Maine, Pingree calls out damaging cuts to addressing opioid crisis

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement on Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price's visit to Maine today focusing on the opioid epidemic.

"I appreciate that Secretary Price has come to Maine to learn more about our state's devastating opioid epidemic. At a time when we are losing one person a day to this epidemic, I hope the Secretary carefully considers what Mainers need to recover from substance use disorder and end the overdoses that are ravaging our communities.

"But I'm deeply troubled with how the Trump Administration has proposed slashing federal programs that offer assistance for both the law enforcement and public health aspects of the crisis. This includes reports of drastic cuts to the Office of National Drug Control Policy and ending the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas and Drug Free-Communities programs. And TrumpCare threatens to hobble Medicaid and end essential health benefits, stripping coverage for substance use treatment and recovery. Taking away these resources right now is like intentionally putting holes in a life raft.

"Dealing with this devastating crisis shouldn't be a partisan issue. I've been proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to pass the 21st Century Cures Act and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act last year, which authorized critical funding to deal with the emergency. I hope Secretary Price and the Trump Administration will work with us to continue those efforts rather than undermine them."

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