Senate holds hearing on opioid abuse epidemic

The Senate Finance Committee today held a hearing examining the opioid abuse epidemic and its effect on the health of America’s seniors and children. Witnesses included representatives from Pew Charitable Trusts’ health programs; Children and Family Futures, Lake Forest, CA; and Oregon Department of Justice. Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) voiced support for the Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act (S-1913), legislation that would limit Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with a history of drug abuse to one prescriber and one pharmacy to reduce doctor and pharmacy shopping. He and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) also said they are drafting bipartisan legislation that would give states flexibility to use federal child welfare funds to address family substance abuse and other risk factors for foster care. Among other proposals, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) called for support of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-NH) proposal to provide $600 million in emergency funding to support treatment and other programs in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524), legislation approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee this month.