These are absolutely devastating numbers.

I am wondering if both of you can each comment on the role that plan sponsors play in this first line of defense against waste, fraud, and abuse.

I agree with Congressman Kennedy about the continuum of care.

We will probably be here in 10 years, because this kind of a problem takes ever vigilance by this Committee.

I appreciate GAO's sustained work on this issue.

Are the states generally on track with their implementation?

And do the states also have to implement screening requirements before they enroll a provider in the Medicaid program?

Good news on a bipartisan basis, we are against waste, fraud, and abuse, as usual, in the Medicaid program.

Do you think that it is a good idea to have fraud? Do you support that?

Those steps will definitely add to the toolbox that CMS and the states have.

Thank you. Dr. Agrawal, in March 2011 CMS put into place new requirements for enrolling and re-validating Medicaid providers and suppliers, is that correct?

I have been asking you to have a hearing so we can hear from the States, and I am glad that the States are here.

the use rate of the PDMP has doubled, going from about 40 to 85 percent in less than a year.

We need to hear what the States are doing to address this problem and understand the reasoning behind some of the choices being made.

I applaud the Department's actions, and I'm gratified to hear that this is one of the Secretary's top priorities.

I think it's really important to hear from our witnesses today about the work the Federal Government is doing to address this serious public health issue.

I think that is the general view on both sides of the aisle, it is the general view in the patient community, and among the administration, and, lo, we are doing it here.

In Colorado, my home State, the rate of prescription overdose deaths has quadrupled in the last 10 years.

this is exactly what I have been trying to say is, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for these patients

I think that when doctors get their DEA license to prescribe controlled and potentially addictive medications, they should mandatory be taught how to use a prescription drug monitoring system.

not only are you going to have a failure rate, but you are also going to have deaths.

Experts tell us that a combination of MAT and behavioral treatment, such as counseling and other supportive services, is the best way of treating opioid addiction.

This is a problem that touches all parts of the country and is growing.

In 2013, 50 percent of all drug overdoses in this country were related to prescription pharmaceuticals.

the Department of Justice has actually said in its discretionary grant program for drug courts that drug courts need to use these medication-assisted programs as part of it because it really is medicine, not drug addiction.