Eliminating Opioid Related Infectious Diseases Act of 2018

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5353, Eliminating Opioid Related Infectious Diseases Act.

As the opioid epidemic has grown, so have infectious diseases related to intravenous opioid drug abuse. These infectious diseases include serious blood-borne illnesses such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, which have devastating health consequences and require long-term treatment.

In 2015, a community in Indiana experienced an outbreak of HIV in over 200 individuals related to intravenous use of oxymorphone. These infections also include infections from skin flora such as MRSA.

Last week, CDC released a report finding that people who inject drugs are more than 16 times more likely to develop invasive MRSA infections. In the midst of an opioid epidemic, it is more important than ever to bolster national surveillance and education efforts on the infectious diseases related to use of IV drugs.

The Eliminating Opioid Related Infectious Diseases Act of 2018, the bill before us, authorizes the CDC to improve surveillance of infections associated with intravenous drug use, such as HIV, infective endocarditis, and MRSA. The CDC can help reduce the rate of infectious diseases from intravenous drug use through the development and distribution of public educational materials on risks associated with intravenous drug use.

This legislation, Mr. Speaker, would also help by improving the education and training of healthcare professionals on how to detect and treat intravenous drug use-associated infections, leading to better management, fewer complications, and overall improved quality of care for those suffering from IV-related infectious diseases.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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