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Legislation authored by Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. to improve and reform the treatment for opioid addiction passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce today.
“The opioid addiction epidemic has left no area in this nation untouched. Every week we see in the news the devastating impact it has on our families, friends, and neighbors. The evidence is clear that this epidemic is growing and it will continue to grow unless we take action. As a doctor, father, and public policy maker, I want to do my part to help our communities overcome this challenge. That’s why I introduced legislation to reform and improve the way patients are treated for opioid addiction. I’m proud that this bipartisan bill passed the Energy and Commerce Committee today. I encourage all of my colleagues to support it on the House floor in the coming weeks.”
H.R. 4981, the Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Expansion and Modernization Act, was introduced by Reps. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) and Paul Tonko (D-NY). H.R. 4981 amends the Controlled Substances Act to expand access to medication-assisted opioid addiction treatment, ensures patients have access to a wider range of comprehensive, evidence-based treatment options, and helps minimize the potential for drug diversion. The legislation is the product of months of stakeholder engagement, expert input and bipartisan negotiation and is supported by the American Medical Association, the Harm Reduction Coalition, the Drug Policy Alliance, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the National Council on Behavioral Health, among others.
H.R. 4981 is expected to be considered on the House floor sometime in May.
Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. is a physician and Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee serving his third term representing Indiana's 8th Congressional district. The 8th District of Indiana includes all or parts of Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, and Warrick counties.
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