Last night, U.S. Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, led a bipartisan letter with 38 Representatives to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urging the use of budget anomalies to fund efforts to address the opioid epidemic. Earlier this year, Kuster helped pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which takes important steps toward addressing the opioid epidemic. Unfortunately, CARA does not appropriate new funding to support those on the frontlines addressing the opioid addiction crisis. Budget anomalies would give agencies discretion to use diverted funds for efforts that address addiction under a continuing resolution until Congress approves a new appropriations bill. 

“Heroin and prescription opioid misuse is devastating communities nationwide,” the Representatives wrote. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), currently more than 129 Americans die every day as a result of drug overdoses and the epidemic is worsening.

“Recognizing American lives hang in the balance, we request consideration for appropriation anomalies in negotiations of a continuing resolution that reflect the advances made in the FY17 subcommittee bills, which address opioid enforcement, prevention, treatment, research, and recovery efforts. Funding as appropriated in FY16 simply does not reflect the current intent of Congress or come close to addressing the life-saving needs of our communities.”

As the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire. She has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts, and has heard directly from stakeholders across the state. In recognition of her leadership on this issue, Kuster was appointed to the conference committee tasked with producing the final version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).

The full text of the letter is available here and below:

September 12, 2016

      The Honorable Paul D. Ryan                                               The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

      Speaker                                                                                 Minority Leader

      U.S. House of Representatives                                             U.S. House of Representatives

      Washington, D.C. 20515                                                      Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker and Madam Leader,

Heroin and prescription opioid misuse is devastating communities nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), currently more than 129 Americans die every day as a result of drug overdoses and the epidemic is worsening. This crisis is exacerbated by the increased use of a deadlier and more potent opioid known as fentanyl, which is driving the majority of fatal overdoses. At the same time, the lack of resources, treatment options, research funding, and drug education impedes efforts to resolve the crisis.

Earlier this year, Congress acted with overwhelming support to give law enforcement, healthcare providers, caregivers, and educators more resources to better do their jobs. Passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) shows Congress’ bipartisan commitment to resolve this epidemic by providing grants to communities to fight substance use disorder.

Additionally, the House Appropriations Committee reflected many of the advances developed in CARA that address needed heroin and opioid funding changes in several of the FY17 subcommittee bills reported out of Committee.  However, these funding adjustments will not be reflected in a continuing resolution, whether short or long-term, hamstringing our national response for Americans suffering and dying from heroin and opioid addiction. Congress’ inability to finish the appropriations process threatens to leave embattled communities without the funding and assistance they need to save lives.

Recognizing American lives hang in the balance, we request consideration for appropriation anomalies in negotiations of a continuing resolution that reflect the advances made in the FY17 subcommittee bills, which address opioid enforcement, prevention, treatment, research, and recovery efforts. Funding as appropriated in FY16 simply does not reflect the current intent of Congress or come close to addressing the life-saving needs of our communities.

Through the comprehensive and targeted approach reflected in the FY17 bills, which leverage evidence-based law enforcement initiatives, treatment, and support for recovery, we can reverse the skyrocketing number of heroin and prescription opioid overdoses and deaths. We hope you will prioritize this request and grant these life-saving anomalies to ensure timely and adequate help for our communities that suffer daily the burdens of prescription opioid and heroin abuse.

Thank you for your consideration.

      Sincerely,

      Rep. Annie Kuster

      Rep. Frank Guinta

      Rep. Marcy Kaptur

      Rep. Patrick Meehan

      Rep. Steve Knight

      Rep. Tim Ryan

      Rep. Katherine Clark

      Rep. Cheri Bustos

      Rep. Debbie Dingell

      Rep. John Larson

      Rep. Grace Meng

      Rep. Niki Tsongas

      Rep. Steve Israel

      Rep. David Cicilline

      Rep. Jim Himes

      Rep. Bill Keating

      Rep. Seth Moulton

      Rep. Paul Tonko

      Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney

      Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick

      Rep. Elijah Cummings

      Rep. Elizabeth Esty

      Rep. Brian Higgins

      Rep. Richard Neal

      Rep. Chellie Pingree

      Rep. Richard Hanna

      Rep. Rick Nolan

      Rep. DelBene

      Rep. Keith Rothfus

      Rep. Tom MacArthur

      Rep. Gerry Connolly

      Rep. Julia Brownley

      Rep. Carolyn Maloney

      Rep. Joe Crowley

      Rep. James P. McGovern

      Rep. Chris Van Hollen

      Rep. Bruce Poliquin

      Rep. Marcia Fudge

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