Opioid Legislation Passes Senate with Comstock Provisions

Statement

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, legislation to address our nation's heroin and opioid crisis, passed the Senate:

"Today Congress has taken a bipartisan, commonsense step in addressing our nation's heroin and opioid crisis by overwhelmingly passing H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. This legislation will make a tangible and immediate difference in the lives of those battling addiction, the families supporting loved ones struggling with substance use disorder, and healthcare treatment providers helping the sick get well. I am pleased that Congress has finally recognized that the deadly epidemic of opioid addiction requires a multipronged approach drawing on the resources of our entire community, including the need to develop non-addictive treatment alternatives.

"I am pleased that provisions of my bill to facilitate better clinical data and standards on non-opioid alternatives, H.R. 5473, the Better Pain Management Through Better Data Act, were included in the final legislation. Medical use of opioids should be a decision that is made with care and these provisions will better inform the choices made by patients and physicians who need accessible data when considering treatments. Addiction is a disease. As our friend and recovery advocate, Nick Yacoub says, this is about sick people getting well. With more prescribing options and fewer prescribed opioids, we can lower the risk of addiction. I'm pleased that the President will be signing this legislation into law, ensuring help for our communities battling this crisis."

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