Norcross Legislation to Combat Opioid Epidemic Moves Forward in House

Norcross is Vice-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) applauded the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee’s passage of legislation to help those struggling with the disease of addiction. The legislation includes provisions originally introduced and supported by Norcross.

“In New Jersey, deaths from heroin and fentanyl overdoses more than tripled in the last five years. That’s tragic and unacceptable. We must invest time, effort and money to save lives,” said Congressman Donald Norcross, Vice-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. “These policy solutions include innovative approaches to get medical professionals the information they need, prevent ‘doctor shopping’ and help our children, grandchildren, spouses, friends and neighbors who are struggling with the disease of addiction.”

Norcross added: “Congress has taken a step in the right direction, but we still need to do more to help curb the opioid epidemic. Leaders in Congress and the Administration should advance the whole suite of bills supported by the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force because one preventable death is too many.”

The Subcommittee legislation includes:

• The STOP Fentanyl Deaths Act, a bill Norcross helped introduce, which provides grant funding to assist states and municipalities in identifying fentanyl in both fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses, and creates a pilot program allowing states to develop unique ‘point of use’ drug testing programs.
• Jessie’s Law, a bill co-sponsored by Norcross, which helps ensure doctors have access to a consenting patient’s prior history of addiction in order to make fully informed care and treatment decisions.
• The Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act, a bill co-sponsored by Norcross, which prevents ‘doctor shopping’ and requires all prescriptions for controlled substances through Medicare Part D to be transmitted electronically.

Recent, Related Content

• On April 23, 2018, Norcross and three other members of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, introduced the STOP Fentanyl Deaths Act.
• On March 16, 2018, the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force urged Congress to protect the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)’s budget and keep its funding to at least current levels.
• On March 15, 2018, the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force urged Congress to provide expanded funding for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
• On February 12, 2018, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force released a statement against cuts to the ONDCP in President Trump’s budget request.
• On February 2, 2018, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force called on Congressional leaders to support funding for the opioid epidemic public health emergency.
• On January 10, 2018, the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force released its legislative agenda for 2018.
• On December 21, 2017, Norcross voted against the short-term continuing resolution, saying, “[it] ignores the needs of… those struggling with the disease of addiction.”
• On October 26, 2017, Norcross issued a statement as President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a ‘public health emergency.’
• On October 20, 2017, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force wrote to President Trump urging him to follow through on his commitment to declare the opioid epidemic a national emergency.
• On September 28, 2017, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force wrote a joint op-ed in The Hill calling on the White House to formally declare the opioid crisis a national emergency.
• On August 23, 2017, Norcross wrote an op-ed in the South Jersey Times on the disease of addiction, calling for action.
• On August 10, 2017, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force both called for immediate action to address the opioid epidemic and reacted to the President’s remarks on the epidemic.
• On August 8, 2017, Norcross announced the Improve Addiction Education Act and the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force wrote a letter to President Trump calling for action to address the opioid epidemic.
• On July 26, 2017, Norcross’ provision to help veterans struggling with the disease of addiction is included in the House appropriations bill.
• On July 20, 2017, Norcross hosts a Community Conversation on the Disease of Addiction in Williamstown, NJ.
• On June 27, 2017, the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force released its legislative agenda for the 115^th Congress.

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