Promises Kept: Fighting The Opioid Epidemic

 

Under President Trump, Progress Has Been Made To Curb The Opioid Epidemic Plaguing America

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TOP TAKEAWAYS

• Today, President Trump will sign the SUPPORT For Patients and Communities Act, one of this Congress' most "significant legislative achievement[s]."
  • The bill will do a lot to address the opioid epidemic, a public health crisis that has claimed the lives of nearly 47,000 Americans just this year.
  • The bills, among other things, allows the United States Postal Service to scan packages for illicit opioids, increases funding for comprehensive recovery centers, and allows Medicaid to cover a larger array of treatment options for patients struggling with addiction.
• Today's bill is just the latest in a long line of actions President Trump has taken to address the opioid epidemic.
  • President Trump has signed into law nearly $5 billion to address the opioid crisis.
  • President Trump has also taken a tough on crime approach towards the opioid crisis by providing border patrol agents with more resources to detect opioids being smuggled.
  • The Department of Justice has cracked down on fraudulent opioid prescriptions and the doctors who prescribe them in the "largest health care fraud enforcement action in DOJ history," and provided $320 million in funding for victims, children, families, and first responders to combat with epidemic.
• The legislation signed into law today will have tangible impacts for states most affected by the opioid crisis, such as Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
  • In 2016, West Virginia ranked number one in opioid overdoses with a death rate of 43.4 per 100,000 residents.
  • In 2016, Ohio ranked number three in opioid overdoses with a death rate of 32.9 per 100,000 residents.

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Today, President Trump Will Sign One Of Congress' Most "Significant Legislative Achievements" To Address The Opioid Epidemic

Today, President Trump Will Sign "Recently Passed" Opioid Legislation. "On Wednesday, Trump will sign Congress' recently passed opioids legislation, which, among other things, eases limits on Medicaid funding for addiction treatment and expands access to medication-assisted treatments similar to methadone." (Sam Baker and Jonathan Swan, "The White House's Next Steps On Opioids," Axios , 10/21/18)

The Bill Is Slated To Be One Of This Congress' "Most Significant Legislative Achievements." "It is one of Congress's most significant legislative achievements this year, a rare bipartisan response to a growing public health crisis that resulted in 72,000 drug-overdose deaths last year." (Coby Itokotwitz, "Senate Easily Passes Sweeping Opioids Legislation, Sending To President Trump," The Washington Post , 10/3/18)

• The Bill Is Named "SUPPORT For Patients And Communities Act." ("H.R. 6 - SUPPORT For Patients And Communities Act," Congress.gov , Accessed 10/22/18)

The Bill "Creates, Expands And Reauthorizes" Programs And Policies Across Various Federal Agencies That Address Different Aspects Of The Opioid Epidemic Including Prevention, Treatment And Recovery. "It creates, expands and reauthorizes programs and policies across almost every federal agency, aiming to address different aspects of the opioid epidemic, including prevention, treatment and recovery." (Colby Itkowitz, "Senate Easily Passes Sweeping Opioids Legislation, Sending To President Trump," The Washington Post , 10/3/18)

• One Provision Of The Bill Will Require The U.S. Postal Service To "Screen Packages" For Fentanyl Shipped From Overseas, Which Would Help Interdict Synthetic Opioids That Are "Difficult To Detect." "Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who sounded the alarm on opioid addiction four years ago, is credited with the slice of the bill that could have the greatest effect. It will require the U.S. Postal Service to screen packages for fentanyl shipped from overseas, mainly China. Synthetic opioids that are difficult to detect are increasingly being found in pills and heroin and are responsible for an increase in overdose deaths." (Colby Itkowitz, "Senate Easily Passes Sweeping Opioids Legislation, Sending To President Trump," The Washington Post , 10/3/18)
• The Legislation Creates A Grant Program For "Comprehensive Recovery Centers" That Provide Housing, Job Training, Mental And Physical Health Care. "The legislation would create a grant program for comprehensive recovery centers that include housing and job training, as well as mental and physical health care." (Colby Itkowitz, "Senate Easily Passes Sweeping Opioids Legislation, Sending To President Trump," The Washington Post , 10/3/18)
• The Legislation Will Change A "Decades-Old Arcane Rule" That Prohibited Medicaid From Covering Patients With Substance Abuse Disorders At Treatment Facilities With More Than 16 Beds, The Legislation Would Now Allow Patients To Have 30 Days Of Residential Treatment Coverage. "Another major aspect of the bill is the change to a decades-old arcane rule that prohibited Medicaid from covering patients with substance abuse disorders who were receiving treatment in a mental health facility with more than 16 beds. The bill lifts that rule to allow for 30 days of residential treatment coverage." (Colby Itkowitz, "Senate Easily Passes Sweeping Opioids Legislation, Sending To President Trump," The Washington Post , 10/3/18)

EVEN BEFORE TAKING OFFICE, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MADE STOPPING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC A PRIORITY

As A Candidate And As President, Donald Trump Has Advocated For Solutions To Help End The Opioid Crisis

In October 2016, Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Claimed He Would Help "Stop The Drugs From Pouring In" And Pledged To Help Those Addicted "Get The Assistance They Need." DONALD TRUMP: "I am now doubling-down on that promise, and can guarantee you - we will not only stop the drugs from pouring in, but we will help all of those people so seriously addicted get the assistance they need to unchain themselves." (Donald Trump, Remarks At Campaign Rally , Portsmouth, NH, 10/15/16)

In October 2017, President Trump Declared The Opioid Crisis A "National Public Health Emergency" Which Allowed Each Agency To Use The Appropriate Emergency Authority To "Fight The Opioid Crisis." PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: "That is why, effective today, my administration is officially declaring the opioid crisis a national public health emergency under federal law, and why I am directing all executive agencies to use every appropriate emergency authority to fight the opioid crisis. This marks a critical step in confronting the extraordinary challenge that we face." (President Trump, Remarks On Combatting Drug Demand And The Opioid Crisis , Washington D.C., 10/26/17)

In January 2018, President Trump Claimed That The United States "Must Get Much Tougher On Drug Dealers And Pushers" To Defeat The Opioid Crisis And That His Administration Was "Committed To Fighting The Drug Epidemic And Helping Get Treatment For Those In Need." "'We must get much tougher on drug dealers and pushers if we are going to succeed in stopping this scourge,' Trump said. 'My administration is committed to fighting the drug epidemic and helping get treatment for those in need, for those who have been so terribly hurt. The struggle will be long, and it will be difficult. But as Americans always do, in the end, we will succeed. We will prevail.'" (Susan Caminiti, "Trump Talks Tough In State Of The Union To End Opioid Crisis, But High Schools Get Tougher," CNBC , 1/30/18)

President Trump Has Signed Various Bills That Have Helped Address The Opioid Crisis

In November 2017, President Trump Donated His Third-Quarter Salary To The Opioid Epidemic Efforts. "President Donald Trump has donated his third-quarter presidential salary to the Department of Health and Human Services' efforts to combat the opioid crisis, the department and the White House announced Thursday." (Cristiano Lima, "Trump Donates Third-Quarter Salary To HHS Opioid Efforts," Politico , 11/30/17)

• That Amounted To Nearly $100,000 To Help The Department Of Health And Human Services Fight Opioids. "In November, President Trump announced he's donating his third-quarter salary - about $100,000 - to help the Department of Health and Human Services fight opioids." (Greg Allen, "Trump Says He Will Focus On Opioid Law Enforcement, Not Treatment," NPR , 2/7/18)

In March 2018, President Trump Signed The $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill. "President Donald Trump signed the $1.3 trillion spending bill to keep the federal government open Friday behind closed doors, then emerged to excoriate Congress for passing the legislation in the first place." (Jeremy Diamond and Jeff Zeleny, "Trump Signs Spending Bill, Blasts Congress," CNN , 3/23/18)

• The Spending Bill Included $4.7 Billion To Fight The Opioid Crisis With An Additional $1 Billion For State Grants. "Federal funding to combat the opioid epidemic has increased over the past few years, as the health crisis has worsened. The spending bill passed in March of this year included $4.7 billion to fight the health crisis, including $1 billion for grants for states." (Natalie Andrews, "Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation To Combat Opioid Epidemic," The Wall Street Journal , 9/17/18)

In September 2018, President Trump Signed A "Spending Bill" That Would Provide Money For The Department Of Defense And The Department Of Health And Human Services. "U.S. President Donald Trump signed a massive spending bill on Friday, providing hundreds of billions of dollars for the Department of Defense and averting the threat of a federal government shutdown at least until December. The bill includes $675 billion to fund the Defense Department for the full year ending on Sept. 30, 2019, as well as additional funds for the wars in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and $180 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Departments." ("Trump Signs Spending Bill, Averts Shutdown Threat Until December," Reuters , 9/28/18)

• The Bill Provided A $145 Million Increase For The Treatment Of Opioid Addiction. "The bill also would provide a $145 million increase for treatment of opioid addiction, bringing spending to $3.7 billion to confront what lawmakers called an epidemic of abuse." (Matthew Daly, "Senate Backs $854B Bill To Fund Health, Education, Military," The Associated Press , 8/27/18)

In January, President Trump Signed Legislation That Aimed To Stop Opioids From Coming Into The Country Illegally

U.S. Customs And Border Protection (CBP) Play A "Vital Role In Interdicting Illicit Narcotics" Before They Enter The United States. "U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plays a vital role in interdicting illicit narcotics before they can enter the United States. This role is particularly important given the rise of the opioid epidemic and the increasing use of fentanyl, which is overwhelmingly produced outside the United States." ("Combating The Opioid Epidemic: The Interception Of Illicit Opioids By The Border Patrol," Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs , 5/23/18)

Fentanyl Has Increased In Seizure At The Border Since 2017, Starting From 181 Pounds To An Estimated 332 Pounds In 2018. ("U.S Border Patrol Drug Seizures," U.S. Customs And Border Protection , Accessed 10/21/18)

In January 2018, President Trump Signed A Bipartisan Bill That Aimed At "Stopping Powerful Synthetic Opioids From Coming Into The Country Illegally." "President Trump signed a bipartisan bill Wednesday aimed at stopping powerful synthetic opioids from coming into the country illegally." (Rachel Roubein, "Trump Signs Bipartisan Bill To Combat Synthetic Opioids," The Hill , 1/10/18)

• The International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response By Detecting Incoming Contraband With Technology (INTERDICT Act) That Gave U.S. Customs Agents $9 Million For Screening Tools On The Border. "Customs agents will have $9 million for additional equipment to detect fentanyl and other opioids from entering the country under a bill President Trump signed Wednesday. The Interdict Act - an acronym for International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology - allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection to buy chemical screening devices that can detect the deadly drugs as they enter the United States." (Gregory Korte and David Jackson, "To Combat Drug Smuggling, Trump Signs Bill To Provide $9 Million For Opioid Sensors," USA Today , 1/10/18)

Under President Trump, The Department Of Justice Has Worked Towards Protecting Americans From Fraudulent Opioid Prescriptions

In April 2018, The Attorney General Proposed New Regulations That Could "Severely Limit" The Amount Of Opioid Pain Medication That Drug Companies Can Produce And Force Companies To "Account For Scores Of Illegitimate Prescriptions." "Attorney General Jeff Sessions proposed new regulations on Tuesday that could severely limit the amount of highly addictive opioid pain medication that drug companies can produce and force them to account for scores of illegitimate prescriptions across the country." (Ali Watkins, "Sessions Tries To Put New Pressure On Drug Companies In Opioid Crisis," The New York Times , 4/17/18)

• The Proposed Rule Would Allow The DEA To "Reduce The Amount Of Opioids" That A Company Can Make If It Is Believed The Company Has Produced Opioids For Misuse. "'Under this proposed new rule, if D.E.A. believes that a company's opioids are being diverted for misuse, then they will reduce the amount of opioids that company can make,' Mr. Sessions said at an appearance in Raleigh, N.C., according to prepared remarks." (Ali Watkins, "Sessions Tries To Put New Pressure On Drug Companies In Opioid Crisis," The New York Times , 4/17/18)

The Proposal Has Allowed The Department Of Justice To "Put Pressure" On The Pharmaceutical Industry. "The proposal allowed Mr. Sessions to put pressure on the powerful pharmaceutical industry without punishing it for the opioid crisis, which in 2016 contributed to more than 42,000 deaths in the United States, according to the C.D.C." (Ali Watkins, "Sessions Tries To Put New Pressure On Drug Companies In Opioid Crisis," The New York Times , 4/17/18)

In June 2018, The Department Of Justice Announced Charges Against 601 People Who Participated In Healthcare Fraud And Opioid-Related Crimes That Amounted To More Than $2 Billion In Losses. "The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday announced charges against 601 people including doctors and nurses for taking part in healthcare fraud and opioid-related crimes that resulted in more than $2 billion in losses." ("U.S. Charges 601 People In Healthcare Fraud, Opioid Crackdown," Reuters , 6/28/18)

• The Arrest Became One Of The "Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown" In U.S. History. "The arrests came as part of what the department said was the largest healthcare fraud takedown in U.S. history and included 162 doctors and other suspects charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing addictive opioid painkillers." ("U.S. Charges 601 People In Healthcare Fraud, Opioid Crackdown," Reuters , 6/28/18)

In August 2018, The Justice Department Arrested One Of The "Biggest Sellers" Of Drugs On The Dark Web And Moved To Ban Ohio Doctors From Prescribing Drugs. "The Justice Department has arrested one of the biggest sellers of drugs on the dark web and moved to bar two Ohio doctors from prescribing medications, part of a sprawling effort to prosecute drug cases amid the nation's opioid epidemic." (Katie Zezima, "Justice Department Fights Opioid Abuse On Dark Web And In Doctors' Offices," The Washington Post , 8/22/18)

The Attorney General Also Filed The First Federal Action Against Two Ohio Doctors Who Were Found To "Overprescribe Drugs." "Sessions also filed temporary restraining orders against two Ohio doctors who were found to overprescribe drugs, the first such federal action against medical professionals." (Katie Zezima, "Justice Department Fights Opioid Abuse On Dark Web And In Doctors' Offices," The Washington Post , 8/22/18)

• The Action Will Prohibit The Two Doctors From Writing Prescriptions. "Authorities said the moves against Michael Tricaso of Akron and Gregory J. Gerber of Sandusky will prohibit them from writing prescriptions." (Katie Zezima, "Justice Department Fights Opioid Abuse On Dark Web And In Doctors' Offices," The Washington Post , 8/22/18)

In October 2018, The Justice Department Announced That It Would Award Nearly $320 Million Towards Combating The Opioid Crisis. "On the first day of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, the Department of Justice announced it is awarding almost $320 million to combat the opioid crisis in America. The unprecedented funding will directly help those most impacted by the deadliest drug crisis in American history, including crime victims, children, families, and first responders." (Press Release, "Justice Department Is Awarding Almost $320 Million To Combat Opioid Crisis," The U.S. Justice Department , 10/1/18)

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS WILL HAVE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT IN STATES HARD HIT BY THE OPIOID CRISIS

Nationally, Close To 50,000 Americans Died Of Opioid Overdoses From March 2017 To March 2018

According To The Center For Disease Control And Prevention, A Reported 68,690 Drug Overdoses Deaths Occurred In March 2018. ("12 Month-Ending Provisional Counts And Percent Change Of Drug Overdose Deaths," Center For Disease Control And Prevention , Accessed 10/23/18)

• Of Those Nearly 70,000 Drug Overdoses Reported, At Least 46,655 Deaths Were The Result Of An Opioid Overdose. ("12 Month-Ending Provisional Number Of Drug Overdose Deaths By Drug Or Drug Class," Center For Disease Control And Prevention , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 2,798 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In Florida

Overall, Florida Has Experienced An Increase Of Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 2/6/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That Florida Had 2,798 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 794 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In Indiana

Overall, Indiana Has Experienced An Increase Of Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 2/6/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That Indiana Had 794 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation, Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 1,762 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In Michigan

Overall, Michigan Has Experienced An Increase Of Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 2/6/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That Michigan Had 1,762 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, Michigan Ranked Number 11 In Opioid Overdoses With A Death Rate Of 18.5 Per 100,000 Residents. ("Opioid Overdose Death Rates And All Drug Overdose Death Rates Per 100,000 Population," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 914 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In Missouri

Overall, Missouri Has Experienced A Trend Of Increasing Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 2/6/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That Missouri Had 914 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 42 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In Montana

Overall, Montana Has Maintained An Increase Of Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That Montana Had 42 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 54 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In North Dakota

Overall, North Dakota Has Experienced A Trend Of Increasing Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That North Dakota Had 54 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 3,613 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In Ohio

Overall, Ohio Has Experienced An Increase Of Opioid Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 2/6/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That Ohio Had 3,613 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, Ohio Ranked Number Three In Opioid Overdoses With A Death Rate Of 32.9 Per 100,000 Residents. ("Opioid Overdose Death Rates And All Drug Overdose Death Rates Per 100,000 Population," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 2,235 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In Pennsylvania

Overall, Pennsylvania Has Experienced An Increase Of Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 2/6/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That Pennsylvania Had 2,235 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, Pennsylvania Ranked Number 11 In Opioid Overdoses With A Death Rate Of 18.5 Per 100,000 Residents. ("Opioid Overdose Death Rates And All Drug Overdose Death Rates Per 100,000 Population," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 733 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In West Virginia

Overall, West Virginia Has Experienced An Increase In Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That West Virginia Had 733 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, West Virginia Ranked Number One In Opioid Overdoses With A Death Rate Of 43.4 Per 100,000 Residents. ("Opioid Overdose Death Rates And All Drug Overdose Death Rates Per 100,000 Population," Kaiser Family Foundation, Accessed 10/23/18)

In 2016, A Total Of 866 Opioid Overdoses Have Been Reported In Wisconsin

Overall, Wisconsin Has Experienced An Increase Of Opioid Deaths Since 1999. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths By Age Group," The Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 2/6/18)

• A Recent Estimate From 2016 Found That Wisconsin Had 866 Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths. ("Opioid Overdose Deaths And Opioid Overdose Deaths As A Percent Of All Drug Overdose Deaths," Kaiser Family Foundation , Accessed 10/23/18)

 

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