Larson: "When It Comes to Our Nation's Health, There Should Be No Half Measures"
Washington – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016. While the bipartisan package creates new grant programs and authorizes new studies to try to address the nation’s ongoing opioid and heroin epidemic, it fails to provide the necessary financial resources to ensure everyone can get the help they need. Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement:
“Too many Americans are suffering in this epidemic. I commend Speaker Ryan for addressing opioid and heroin addiction, but this proposal does little to increase access to recovery programs. No one seeking help for their addiction should ever be turned away due to lack of resources. That is why I support Rep. Joe Courtney’s plan to commit the necessary funding to support treatment and prevention programs. The measure passed today is a good first step, but when it comes to our nation’s health, there should be no half measures.”
Larson has previously called for additional funding to address the opioid epidemic. In March, he traveled to Atlanta for the 5th Annual National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit to lobby for emergency resources. He remains committed to ensuring our communities have the resources they need to treat and prevent opioid addiction.
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