Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 6082, the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act. My colleague Mr. Blumenauer and I introduced this bill to help physicians fight the opioid epidemic. The Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act allows the flow of information among healthcare providers and health planners for the purpose of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. Unfortunately, there is an outdated Federal Government mandate, 42 CFR part 2, which is creating a firewall between doctors and patients. My bill, the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act, will give doctors access to patients' addiction medical information that can integrate their care, prevent tragic overdoses, and improve patient safety. SAMHSA has stated: ``The practice of requiring substance use disorder information to be any more private than information regarding other chronic illnesses, such as cancer or heart disease, may in itself be stigmatizing. Patients with substance use disorders seeking treatment for any condition have a right to healthcare providers who are fully equipped with the information needed to provide the highest quality care available.'' When a person violates part 2, it is referred to the Justice Department, and there is only a $50 penalty. There have been zero cases--let me repeat that--there have been zero cases in which part 2 was enforced or any action taken by the Department of Justice or SAMHSA.…”