Apr 14, 2021
Wednesday the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on 11 separate pieces of legislation designed to address the issues associated with opioids and fentanyl.
Committee members and witnesses mentioned the problems associated with all substance use disorders, including deaths attributed to alcohol. NAATP is pleased that the committee and witnesses discussed the need for increased education for the medical profession to identify early stages of SUD. Disparities in access to care for minority populations, the need to increase the treatment provider workforce, and the benefits of extended telehealth were also highlighted.
Acting Director LaBelle of the Office of National Drug Control Policy was the primary witness and answered questions for over three hours as she detailed the Biden-Harris Administration priorities. LaBelle discussed the need for increased access to care and highlighted the potential benefits of full enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Parity), another NAATP Priority.
NAATP appreciates the Congressional focus on SUD issues and pledges to work with the Administration and all members to advance the needs of treatment providers and the field.
Legislation considered:
- H.R. 654 "Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act"
- H.R. 955 "Medicaid Reentry Act of 2021"
- H.R. 1384 "Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2021"
- H.R. 1910 "Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting Fentanyl Act"
- H.R. 2051 "Methamphetamine Response Act"
- H.R. 2067 "Medication Access and Training Expansion Act"
- H.R. 2355 "Opioid Prescription Verification Act"
- H.R. 2364 "Synthetic Opioid Danger Awareness Act"
- H.R. 2366 "Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of Fentanyl Act of 2021"
- H.R. 2379 "State Opioid Response Grant Reauthorization Act"
- H.R. 2405 "Streamlining Research on Controlled Substances Act"
