McGovern Applauds Obama Administration Call for $1.1 Billion in New Funding to Address Opioid Epidemic

Massachusetts Could Receive $20 Million in New Funding Under White House Plan

Washington, DC, July 6, 2016

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) applauded today’s announcement by the President Obama that his administration is taking more action to address the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts and across the country and that they are calling for $1.1 billion in new funding to support this effort. McGovern praised the proposal by President Obama, which would make Massachusetts eligible for up to $20 million in new funding over two years to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorders.

Congressman McGovern has been a leading voice in the call for stronger funding to tackle the opioid epidemic. Today’s call comes as Congress moves to conference on legislation that would support grant programs to address the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic.

“Our families and communities in Massachusetts need a strong bipartisan response to the opioid epidemic and that is exactly what President Obama is calling for,” Congressman McGovern said. “Congress has a responsibility to do all it can to confront this crisis and this $1.1 billion proposal would help to expand access to treatment, strengthen prescription drug monitoring, enable safe disposal of unneeded drugs, and increase much-needed research on pain and opioid misuse and overdose.

“In the past year, I have worked tirelessly to make sure the voices of Massachusetts families are heard in Washington, co-sponsoring three different bills and joining my House Colleagues to call on Administration officials to ensure all of our communities are receiving the federal funds needed to address this crisis,” McGovern added. “We must do all we can to ensure that treatment is available to those who seek it. Prevention and treatment must be at the heart of our approach. Congress must embrace a smart and comprehensive approach to help all of the families and communities touched by the opioid epidemic. This is a national priority and under-funding this fight is not an option.”

Click Here to read about the action the White House is already taking to address the opioid epidemic.  

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