Transcripts For CSPAN2 House Hearing On State Efforts To Com

Speemac. [background sounds] subcommittee on Oversight Committee will now here comes the order. It is hauling hearing in china and the public help emergencies, to curb the Opioid Crisis. The premise of todays hearing is to examine states efforts and successes and adjusting the Opioid Epidemics as well as opportunities for future federal support. And just to let everybody know, doctor alexander, the reason why we are Getting Started a little late. The plane was delayed. But now the dr. Is on our way. We will swear in the witnesses when we get to that. If we have to do that later we will. The. [cheering]. Will now recognize the suffering Opening Statement. As i said, today the committee contends his bipartisan efforts to combat the Opioid Crisis. As we know, the countries in the midst of an epidemic unlike any of recent history. According to the centers for Disease Control and prevention, from 1999, 2017, nearly 400,000 people died from opioid overdoses. In 2017, more than two thirds of Drug Overdose deaths involved opioids. The crisis, asked continued to evolve and the challenges that we face have continued to evolve along with it. The first wave of this crisis began in the 1990s, when they were prescribing him pain medication. The second way began in 2010 and it was increased as new to heroin overdoses. Unlike the first two waves, the third wave marked live the rise in synthetic opioids like fentanyl had shattered lives, traumatized families and devastated communities. Now, unfortunately it looks like a fourth wave of the crisis may have already arrived. It weighed epidemic asked fueled a huge increase in methamphetamines use and in 2018, no more than twice as many deaths involving deaths as many increasingly turning up the bus across the country. Given the complexity of the epidemic, and its ability to evolve, state federal and Government Agencies must remain vigilant. To that end, this committee asked taken numerous steps to escape the origins and drivers crisis. So we cant learn from it and try try to get ahead of the next wave. Through committee parents, we have are from state federal agencies and drug distributors about the roles and responses. In the groundbreaking work live the committee uncovered some of the failures led to where we are today. In looking forward we will focus on identifying ways to extend this crisis and bring relief to the millions of americans who are suffering. As part of that effort, our committee asked worked across the aisle to pass Bipartisan Legislation to finally give states the tools and resources needed to help those impacted live the disorder. These legislative packages provide the state millions of dollars in federal funding for response treatment and recovery efforts. And when we have made some progress. The provisional data indicates that the Drug Overdose deaths have fallen for the first time in decades. While the downward shift is welcomed, the crisis is far from over. We must continue to look for ways to bring relief to struggling cities and counties throughout the country. Jason continues on bipartisan efforts. David and day day out, since on the frontlines of this epidemic that kills more than hundred and 30 americans every day. As the epidemic now enters the new decade, they face the challenge of keeping pace of the evolving prices. In keeping with us, and his bipartisan commitment finding solutions for this National Emergency, last september the committee set letters to 16 states requesting information about on the ground efforts to the epidemic. Kemeny asked sought to understand the federal funds actually hit the hardest hit communities. How the use and what strategies have proven to be successful. Today we have five key states that each received a letter in this committee. He states represent the first line of defense against the prices and eat less pivotal roles in recovery efforts. I want to thank all of you for coming today. The states compose a large swath of the country. On the demographics and geography and challenges. , each asked felt the effect of this epidemic. And they all rank as among the highest overdose death rates. In fact each of them have taken a number of steps to curb the epidemic. For example, pennsylvania was able to distribute nearly 13000 get free of charge in 2018. And again in 2019. Thanks to a combination of state and federal funding. North carolina, provided treatment to 12000 uninsured persons things to again to federal funding and rhode island is unable to send medication in the present system resulting in a 62 percent reduction in Overdose Deaths. This is just a few examples of how the states are fighting this epidemic. In helping communities. As Congress Considers future action to address this crisis, all of our Witnesses Today provide important insights on how federal funds are being used to, the epidemic. When efforts are proving successful and what we need to do for further improvement. I think the witnesses for the service and for being here to testify and may have other states. I look forward to hearing how we cant all continue to Work Together to find the desperately needed solutions. With that i am pleased to yell purposes of an Opening Statement. Thank you for hauling this important hearing. Our local communities are suffering on average hundred and 30 americans die every day opioid overdose. There are involved in 47600 Overdose Deaths in 2017. Which accounted for 67. 8 percent of all Drug Overdose deaths. In kentucky, there were 1160 reported opioid involved deaths in 2017. The Commerce Committee asked been set out in its efforts to help combat the Opioid Epidemic. Mother was Committee News investigation for the Prescription Drug and heroin epidemic. The major opioid manufacturers, we have continued to ask questions and get the answers for the american public. When he comes to legislation, the Committee Led the way for the 21st century act. Comprehensive recovery act. , all of these laws which are designed to combat the Opioid Crisis to prevention, and is in treatment and recovery initiatives and protecting communities and bolstering our efforts to fight synthetic drugs what is known. This hearing is the critical opportunity for us to check in with states. Those of the our on the front lines, to see how the federal money on was asked been allocated and spent. While success is they are having, but that also what challenges they are still facing and what additional authorities and resources cant be helpful. Good news is that each state testifying before us today asked seen a decrease in their overdose death rates. Federal assistance is making a difference. In addition states are creating and implementing innovative approaches to combating the epidemic. Examples include expanding efforts to connect people to treatment through ambassador and Emergency Departments, expanding increasing availability of medication assisted treatment. Increasing nonemergency transportation treatment for those in rural areas. Expanding the neonatal treatment programs. In efforts to address workforce issues to the initiatives such as different programs running the curriculum. This hearing is the great platform. This is for the state to make a difference in what programs they are working. Not only is the helpful for us in congress as we continue to connect oversight and light display, but also to the state, they cant learn from each other. About new ideas and innovative approaches that cant be implemented. While progress is being made some of the overdose death rates are declining, the direction of National Institute of drug abu abuse, doctor and more, declared this week this country still asked not controlled this addiction problem. Some states, are continuing to see a high of First Responder Emergency Department encounter overdoses. In addition, states are still facing many challenges including a lack of qualified workforce and infrastructure printed and restrictions on funding including restricted to opioids and flexibility to address emerging challenges. In addition, our starting to see polySubstance Abuse and Overdose Deaths. This estate specifically stimulus such as an methamphetamine and cocaine. Thats a going concern printed is been detected in more deaths in opioids such as oxycodone and on cape cod on printed 14 of the 35 states, the report Overdose Deaths on with the bases, math is involved in more deaths than fentanyl. Can do with our partners n this fight. And i will yield back. The chair recognizes the chairman of the committee for five minutes. Todays hearing continues the ongoing bipartisan efforts to combat the Opioid Epidemic with a fuel by synthetic drugs putting people, families and communities at risk. It requires ongoing federal state attention. The states on the frontlines of the National Emergency providing much of the support for those in need. They are our eyes and ears the latest in a series of dreams held on the crisis and the occur from several states including rhode island on the ground efforts to the epidemic and we also hear from federal agencies about the urgent threat of fentanyl. The Committee Conducted bipartisan investigations of opioid distribution practices the energy and Commerce Committee has also been at the forefront passing the legislation that gives our federal state and local partners the tools and resources required to succeed in the fight including three pieces of legislation that would give the funding and support. In 2016 the committee passed the comprehensive addiction and recovery act and 21st century cures act which to mention its a major role in that. They authorize over a billion dollars of state specific grants and help the states bolster evidencebased treatment prevention and recovery efforts. In 2018 the support act was passed and signed into law reauthorizing of specific funding increasing the abusing overdose training and improving the coordination and quality of care. Then in december the house passed hr three that included 10 billion in additional opioid funding. The committee is committed to making sure the communities are receiving the support they need to get relief from the crisis and the states requesting information on how federal funds and put additional hope the congress can provide. Based on the responses theyve taken important innovative approaches to addressing opioid addiction and one of the most effective tools that is available to the states as medicaid. Several states elaborated on the Important Role demonstrating the crisis in response to the committee. The release last week found about 8,000 lives have been saved from an overdose thanks to the medicaid under the Affordable Care act. We want to hear about any emerging trends they are seeking for examples of all states informed the committee they also see an increase in methamphetamine and policy substance. This of course is an alarming trend for threats t of threats e next epidemic and i want to hear how congress can help the states come from this. Thanks to the witnesses in forward to hearing about their efforts. Thank you madam chair for continuing your efforts on this. I dont know if anybody wants my time, but im happy to yield back. The chair recognizes the Ranking Member of the full committee for five minutes. Thanks for holding this critically important hearing as i was preparing for this, i noticed in the county in my district they have a solo alert up for opioid. The two overdoses on average per week in jackson county. They had seven last week but fortunately no deaths. First responders administered in five times last week and they believe that its probably heroine with a pretty heavy dose of fentanyl. The deadly scourge continues. As he per the energy and Commerce Committee in this subcommittee in particular has been at the forefront of the efs to address the Opioid Crisis and Substance Use disorder issues, and weve done a lot of work on prevention and we know we have a lot more work to do. The committee has held hearings on the Opioid Epidemic for nearly two decades from reining in Perdue Pharma to testify in 2001 about the abuse of oxycontin to the bipartisan investigation into the rise of fentanyl, opioid manufacturing, distribution and Substance Use Disorder Treatment industry. They helped inform the legislative work including the comprehensive Addiction Recovery act 20 to authorize the state targeted response of the crisis grant and more in the federal appropriations to boost programs that fight, treat of use and access to Mental Health services. The signing into law in my home state of oregon we have seen the results of 3. 1 reduction in the opioid deaths based on the recent statistics from the cdc. Im pleased we worked together in this space including by continuing work on fentanyl and with this important hearing today examining how states are utilizing the funding and authority provided by congress. But theres so much more we can do together earlier this year energy and commerce published request for information about the Substance Use Disorder Treatment industry. The buildup for the patient investigation that we conduct it in the last congress, and this investigation brought us to the question of what is good treatment, and conversely what is bad treatment which is the central question posed by the rfi. With the billions of dollars we need answers. Yesterday energy and commerce sent a letter to the opioid manufacturers we began investigating together last year in Congress Asking them to complete the reduction to the request. Its critical we fully understand the causes of the epidemic in order to ensure that solutions are the right ones and its important that the answer the questions. We should also hold a comprehensive series of earrings to conduct oversight and implementation of the act for example relevant to todays hearings the act include the info act sponsored that calls for the creation of the public and acceptable electronic dashboard linking to all the nationwide efforts and strategies to combat the Opioid Crisis. The act was designed to meet the specifispecific need of local stakeholders who were telling us despite congress having to vote on record numbers into trouble finding the resources that were available and where they were. Certainly an issue we heard a lot about from mr. Mckinley and others. Its critical in helping those on the frontlines of the crisis and we are concerned about the implementation. In concern fo conference of thet we need to be working on the next wave of this nation to address not only Opioid Crisis but Substance Use disorders and we need to reauthorize the fentanyl band set to expire a matter of weeks in the prohibitions on various forms as broad bipartisan support we should do that expeditiously. Todays hearing is a step to understand the impact of the dollars on the states and i want to thank the witnesses for being here and being part of the equation and i look forward to hearing from you. With i will yield the balance of my time to mr. Burgess. Of course it was under your leadership to the committee that last year we worked on a bipartisan manner to produce legislation that ultimately signed into law by President Trump in october of 2018. And theandy began in the subcome with hearing from over 50 members it was to help the advancement initiatives for those affected by the opiate. You will be helpful in understanding the challenges that we faced continuing the fight against the addiction while ensuring they can manage their pain is important to congress to have hearings like this where we can ensure the effectiveness of the efforts to identify accounts where they exist. I will yield back with a notation that we have to subcommittee upstairs so we will be coming and going between hearings. Jennifer smith is the secretary of the department of drug about the whole programs. Doctor monica, the commissioner and Alexander Scott, i think they deemed you hear from the airport, so congratulations. Shes the director of the department of health and the state of rhode island. The commissioner bureau for Behavioral Health, department of health and Human Services state in West Virginia, welcome, and the deputy secretary Behavioral Health and intellectual development of disabilitys department of health and Human Services in North Carolina, welcome to you. Thanks all of you for appearing in fro