Washington, D.C. – Following Governor Tom Wolf’s (D-PA) Statewide Disaster Declaration for the heroin and opioid abuse crisis in Pennsylvania, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the statement below. This announcement follows Casey’s 2017 introduction of the Combating the Opioid Epidemic Act. In an effort to advance this legislation, Casey sent a letter to the President requesting the Trump Administration’s support. Casey’s legislation would invest $45 billion for prevention, detection, surveillance and treatment of opioids.
Full Casey Statement:
“I commend Governor Wolf for issuing a Statewide Disaster Declaration for the heroin and opioid abuse crisis. This declaration will bring additional resources to bear on this horrific public health emergency that has ripped apart far too many families.
Now, the federal government must do its part so that states don’t have to deal with this alone. I have introduced legislation that would invest $45 billion in programs that combat opioid addiction and provide treatment for those who need it. Congressional Republicans should give sustained focus to this problem and take up my legislation.
Thus far, the Administration and congressional Republicans have advocated steps, like decimating Medicaid, that would worsen the opioid public health emergency and reduce access to treatment. During the health care debate, Republicans in Washington said they support $45 billion in funding. It’s far past time the federal government stop paying lip service to the opioid crisis and start investing in treatment and prevention.”
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