Political Quotes

“Madam President, last month, Democratic staff on the Finance Committee put out a report documenting the staggering shortage of treatment services in America for those suffering from opioid addiction. This report surveyed a cross-section of American communities and found there is a yawning treatment gap keeping many from getting the help they need. Nearly 90 percent of Americans suffering from opioid addiction, according to the most current analyses, are not receiving the treatment they need--90 percent. The treatment gap is caused by a shortage of available treatment services across the country, and even where these services do exist, they are overwhelmed by demand. This gap is straining rural communities that are already struggling to provide other essential medical services. Asking these communities to provide care when they are stretched in such incredibly thin ways forces them into impossible choices. The result is even more lives in America are lost to opioid addiction. Earlier this year, after Congress passed legislation called CARA authorizing anti-addiction programs, Members did an awful lot of celebrating, an awful lot of victory laps, and fired off a forest of press releases, but that act didn't put a penny into these essential treatment programs. I just wanted to come to the floor because we are looking at another crucial time to help those suffering from addiction.…”