On the recordJuly 8, 2016
I just want to again point out that the effort here is not only bipartisan, but we are also working with the administration to try to address this epidemic. And one of the things that we were trying to do with the legislation, but it became unnecessary because of the President's executive action, was with regard to bup. {time} 1130 This is a painkiller, if you will, that is used as an alternative to the addictive painkillers that cause the opiate problem. And until recently, under the law, a physician could only have up to 100 patients to whom he was administering bup, but now, in the last week or so, the President announced that that cap has been lifted to 275. Now, in the legislation, we do expand the types of providers who can treat opioid dependence using bup, but, at the same time, it was necessary, I believe, to raise that cap because there is a waiting list--a rather extensive waiting list--for people who would like to take advantage of bup. So I just wanted to say that that is one of the most important things that actually was done by the President. And it is very important for us to work together not only in terms of what we authorize, but also providing the funding for many of these programs, both what we are now authorizing pursuant to grants in this legislation, as well as what the administration is doing through agency action. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
