Ending the Opioid Epidemic

Floor Speech

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Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of those struggling with the disease of addiction.

The last few years have been brutal on Americans suffering from opioid use disorder. 100,000 dead of drug overdoses in 12 months.

This relentless disease has left heartbroken families across the country asking why there isn't more support for loved ones gripped by addiction.

Today, Leigh Ann Caldwell at the Washington Post reported that a cartel of clinics is trying to block legislation that would help address the opioid epidemic. Her article quotes a special interest leader saying he ``doesn't trust doctors.''

77 million Americans lack easy access to a clinic, but he doesn't want patients to get treatment because he doesn't ``trust'' doctors? Maybe he wants to protect the monopoly these for-profit clinics enjoy.

It is time for us to decide what is more important: Ending the opioid epidemic or the entrenched interests of the methadone clinic cartel.

It is time for the Senate to help us get the bipartisan Opioid Treatment Access Act over the finish line.

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