Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3832, the Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is undeniable that our military veterans deserve our deepest gratitude for the courage and valor they demonstrate while defending the United States of America.

H.R. 3832 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the executive director of a national network of State-based prescription monitoring programs under which Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers shall query the network in order to prevent opioid abuse.

Veterans are truly heroes walking among us and they deserve our utmost respect as well as assistance in any recovery or treatment they require.

Mr. Speaker, our veterans bravely put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and to keep our nation safe.

There are over 20 million veterans in the United States, with a large number residing in my home state of Texas.

Texas has more than 1.4 million veterans, making it the state with the second largest veteran population.

Harris County, the county which contains my district, is home to over 187,000 veterans, the most of any county in the state.

There is no doubt that these fearless men and women suffering from burdensome health problems deserve not only our gratitude, but also our support throughout recovery and treatment.

By passing H.R. 3832, health care providers will receive additional information so they may provide veterans with assistance which will enhance their rehabilitation.

This bill would enable the VA to monitor drug prescriptions in order to ensure that veterans' risk of addiction is minimized.

The Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act would allow VA providers to better track and prevent excess opioid prescribing.

The provisions of this bill will serve as a vital resource to our veterans and their health care providers as they overcome burdensome health problems.

These provisions would help prevent opioid abuse by allowing for greater information sharing between VA and state-based prescription drug monitoring programs.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3832 to show their support and gratitude for the sacrifices made by our service men and women, and to ensure that veterans battling health problems receive the care and rehabilitation they deserve.

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