Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, it is past time to give our healthcare providers the tools they need to confront the growing epidemic of opioid abuse in our country. This is an emergency.

As a doctor who has treated patients in northern Michigan for over 30 years, both in private practice and in the VA system, I know how urgent the need for immediate action is.

The amendment to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act that we are considering today will be a giant step forward in how we provide treatment and care for those suffering from opioid addiction.

The bill will also improve the quality of care available to our Nation's veterans. The rate of abuse for legal prescription drugs is significantly higher among our veteran population than it is in the general population, and this problem is only continuing to grow.

We have an opportunity today to take a first step in fixing a major national problem and pass meaningful legislation that will help save the lives of thousands and thousands of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and continue working together on bipartisan solutions for our Nation's growing epidemic of substance abuse.

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