Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement before departing for recess on the Senate Republicans inaction on funding needed to inforce CARA legislation.
“Last year in Pennsylvania, deaths by opioid overdoes jumped to 3,383 people from 2,742 – sons, daughters, father, mothers, neighbors. The crisis of opioid addiction gripping our nation knows no bounds; it impacts families everywhere, from cities, to suburban communities to rural areas and everywhere in between. I successfully fought for the inclusion of two measures in the bill that will help address the impact of opioids on vulnerable children and teens. First, the Infant Plan of Safe Care Improvement Act which would improve the plans of safe care for helpless infants affected by drug or alcohol use, including ensuring proper care, managing symptoms and providing support for the mother. The legislation also includes the John Thomas Decker Act, named for a PA teen, which would require a study and report on information given to young athletes about dangers of opioid abuse and alternative treatments to sports injuries.
But this bill is a far cry from what’s required to truly help those struggling with addiction and their families. Specifically, the legislation we are sending to the President’s desk doesn’t put in place the kind of funding that will make a measurable difference in the lives of those suffering from addiction. I fought to include $600 million in new resources to help local communities, healthcare professionals and first responders as they deal with this crisis. Passing this legislation doesn’t absolve members of Congress from our duty to put the dollars in place to address this problem. While I will continue throughout this year to fight to invest real resources into the fight against opioid addiction, I have been disappointed by Senate Republicans’ refusal to act. To leave for an extended recess without putting the funds in place to truly solve this challenge is like dousing a burning house with a bucket of water and driving away. Members of Congress should hold the congratulatory press releases and stick around to actually solve this problem.”
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