Donnelly, Walorski weigh in on opioid crisis

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly and U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski both issued statements after President Trump declared a national emergency over the opioid crisis Thursday, Aug. 10.

The federal legistors both welcomed the President's action

Walorski: Trump's declaration treats epidemic with urgency it requires

MISHAWAKA – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) released the following statement Aug. 10 after President Trump declared a national emergency over the opioid crisis:

“Opioid abuse is having a devastating impact on our communities, and President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency treats this epidemic with the urgency it requires. I will continue working with my colleagues and the administration to make sure first responders, law enforcement, medical professionals, treatment providers, and families in our communities have the tools and resources needed to solve this crisis.”

 

BACKGROUND

Congress last year passed into law the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), bipartisan legislation to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. Congresswoman Walorski served on the conference committee that negotiated the final bill, which included two provisions she authored. One requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to participate in state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), and the other allows the VA to use FDA-approved medical devices and other non-opioid therapies to treat chronic pain.

Walorski recently questioned Medicare’s top fraud prevention official at a committee hearing about how safeguards failed to prevent a doctor in Indiana from prescribing more than $1 million in opioids to 108 patients under Medicare’s prescription drug program.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

 

(Congresswoman Walorski press release)

 

 
 

Donnelly Welcomes Trump Move to Declare Opioid Crisis a National Emergency

INDIANAPOLIS – U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly welcomed the announcement from President Donald Trump Aug. 10 that he plans to declare the opioid abuse epidemic a national emergency.

Donnelly said, “I am pleased that President Trump plans to declare the opioid epidemic a national emergency. We know that it will take all of us working together to effectively turn the tide against this public health crisis that has harmed so many families in Indiana and across the country. I hope this declaration will lead to necessary, additional resources for states and local communities to ensure those battling substance use disorders can access treatment.”

Donnelly has been a leading voice in the fight against the opioid abuse and heroin use epidemic. Over the past three-plus years as Indiana has been devastated by the opioid abuse and heroin use epidemics, Donnelly has actively and effectively fought for new efforts to support prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.

He helped pass the 21st Century Cures Act into law, which includes a $10.9 million federal grant that will support prevention, treatment, and recovery services in Indiana. Donnelly also helped enact the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which included several of his provisions.

He recently introduced a bipartisan package of legislation aimed at providing the facilities and access to telemedicine needed to prevent and treat substance use disorder in rural communities. In June, Donnelly introduced bipartisan legislation to help address the shortage of providers who treat people battling substance use disorders by making addiction treatment facilities eligible for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) student loan repayment and forgiveness program. 

Earlier this year, Donnelly brought Dr. Tim Kelly, a leading practitioner of addiction medicine in Indianapolis and thought leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic, to President Trump’s Joint Address before Congress. He invited Dr. Kelly to highlight the critical work he and other providers are doing across Indiana on the frontlines to help treat Hoosiers battling opioid addiction and other dangerous substances.

 

(Senator Donnelly press release)