Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1091, as amended, the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act.

This bill will provide support to the millions of grandparents and other older caregivers across the country who are raising children. As my colleague, Mr. Lewis, mentioned, more than 2.5 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren across the Nation today.

Child welfare experts agree that substance use disorders, especially addiction to opioids, are behind much of the growing number of grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Raising grandchildren can dramatically alter the lives of these grandparents, who can sometimes be overwhelmed by the unique challenges they face as they adapt to their new roles and responsibilities.

The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act would create an advisory council charged with identifying best practices, resources, and other tools to help grandparents and other older caregivers address common challenges when raising children. This might include how to navigate a school system or access healthcare.

This information is vital and will prove to be lifesaving to grandparents striving to care both for themselves and for their families.

Madam Speaker, I thank Senator Susan Collins and Senator Bob Casey for their work on this bill, and I thank Congressman McGovern, Congressman King, and Congressman Lewis for their leadership in the House.

This bipartisan, bicameral effort is a testament to the importance of this growing and important issue. I urge my colleagues to support S. 1091.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the cosponsor of this House legislation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again, I support this legislation, the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act, and other efforts of my colleagues to address the opioid crisis, but these policies will only be a drop in the bucket if the administration continues undermining access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare that includes robust Affordable Care Act protections for preexisting conditions like substance use disorder.

If we are to stem the tide of this epidemic, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers must fully cover addiction treatment and safer alternatives to opioids for pain.

One thing is clear: Changing policy alone won't stop this crisis. We also need more resources for prevention, treatment, and innovative solutions.

The urgent need for more funding is wide and varied. Prevention programs need to be able to reach more people. Researchers need additional funding to gather data that will drive effective solutions. Overstretched public health departments need to be able to coordinate a comprehensive response. Treatment facilities need more beds and more staff. Healthcare providers need further education and training.

We must increase the resources to match the scale of this problem, this crisis, and focus on making smart investments to adequately address the opioid crisis.

Madam Speaker, once again, I thank Senators Collins and Casey, as well as Congressmen McGovern and King, for their work on this legislation, and I urge its passage.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source