On the recordJune 12, 2018
I thank the ranking member for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5583, which I introduced together with the Representative from Oregon, Greg Walden, chairman of our committee, and the Representative from Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn. As you have heard throughout today's floor debate, more than 115 people die every day from an opioid overdose, and in my hometown of New York City, someone dies every 7 hours from an opioid overdose. The African American community, in particular, is dying at an alarming rate from opioid abuse. The overdose death rate among African Americans in urban counties rose by 41 percent in 2016. Mr. Speaker, this is more than an epidemic. This is a full-blown crisis, and Congress must act to protect our most vulnerable communities. To address this epidemic, I have introduced a bill that would support the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' efforts to monitor and track quality care, especially in behavioral health related to the use of opioids. Currently, State reporting on these measures is strictly voluntary. H.R. 5583 would make such reporting mandatory. Doing so allows us to better collect data for research purposes. H.R. 5583 is one of 57 bills that the House Energy and Commerce Committee has brought forward to combat the opioid crisis. Now is the time for House leadership to bring the issue to a vote.…
