Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the bipartisan legislation, SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6). This legislation includes several provisions which would improve access to health care and treatment services for low-income and at-risk Minnesotans.

In particular, I support allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe treatment for opioid use disorder, and increasing providers who can prescribe buprenorphine. These policies are particularly important for those living with addiction in Greater Minnesota and urban areas facing shortages or lack in treatment facilities and physicians. The legislation also includes provisions that ensure foster and incarcerated youth are covered under Medicaid and do not experience gaps in coverage and care.

I am committed to ensuring prevention and substance use treatment programs are properly funded, and all Americans have access to the services they need to live a sustainable and healthy life. We need solutions to these problems facing some of the most vulnerable Americans, and although H.R. 6 doesn't address all the issues we face in this crisis, it is a step in the right direction. However, Congress must continue to fund programs to support all communities impacted by the opioid epidemic.

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