On the recordJune 13, 2018
This week, the House is considering a number of bills relating to the opioid public health epidemic. I serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and over the past year, our committee has heard from experts. We have had numerous hearings on all facets of the opioid crisis. We have gathered facts, listened to witnesses, including those struggling with addiction; doctors; providers; the Drug Enforcement Agency; and more. Plus, many families and experts back home have informed us and encouraged the Congress to act. Last year, one loving father in my home district in Tampa, Florida, came to meet with me to share his experience. He said: Our son has been an addict for the last 5 years. During that time, our family has discovered how impotent the healthcare system, government system, insurance companies, criminal justice system, and our family have been to combat this disease. Prior to our personal experience, we were like most Americans who believed this was not our problem, but we were saddened by those who experienced the crisis. In addition, we cannot believe how futile and limited our resources and efforts to help our son overcome this illness have been. We still believe, although to a lesser degree, that the people afflicted with this illness still hold the key to unlocking their own happiness to managing this illness.…
