U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Major Veterans Legislation to Combat Opioid Abuse

Press Release

U.S. Senator Baldwin today announced her plans to introduce major legislation aimed at providing safer and more effective pain management services to our nation's veterans.

On August 30, 2014, U.S. Marine Veteran Jason Simcakoski died at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center as a result of mixed drug toxicity. The Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act would provide VA with the tools it needs to help prevent this type of tragedy from occurring to other veterans and their families.

"After two, decade-long wars, our veterans and their families are facing the difficult challenges of physical injuries, PTSD and other mental illnesses. We must confront these problems more safely and more effectively to help them meet that challenge. I believe the VA's overreliance on opioids has resulted in getting our veterans hooked instead of getting them the help they deserve," said Senator Baldwin. "The Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act will take steps to address VA's overuse of opioids and to improve quality pain management for veterans and their families, including by giving them a stronger voice in their care. My legislation proposes a number of solutions to strengthen opioid prescribing guidelines; improve coordination and communication throughout the VA; and put in place stronger oversight and accountability for the quality of care we are providing our veterans. My goal is to put these reforms in place to prevent Jason's tragedy from occurring to other veterans and their families."

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