Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the Rush amendment to H.R. 5797, the IMD CARE Act. Earlier today, I spoke in support of the underlying bill. It will make a meaningful change to the way Medicaid covers opioid use disorder for its beneficiaries. The amendment offered by my friend and colleague from Illinois, Representative Bobby Rush, will expand on that definition. It will allow Medicaid to provide coverage for individuals seeking treatment from cocaine and crack cocaine usage. Looking at just 2016, opioids and cocaine caused 82 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States. Cocaine alone kills more than 10,000 Americans a year. News outlets have also reported fentanyl being mixed in with cocaine, further complicating this tragic opioid crisis. This is an issue that Mr. Rush has passionately led on in the committee, on the floor, and at home in his community. {time} 1415 We discussed it in the hearing room and at length in private while working to fine-tune this legislation so that the best possible version can become law. So I want to thank Mr. Rush for this amendment, and I want people to know that it really will improve and expand the scope of this bill. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment and support the underlying bill, which will dramatically aid in our response to the opioid epidemic for all Americans, wherever they live. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?…”