Press Releases
Kuster Questions HHS Secretary Becerra in Energy & Commerce Hearing**Rep. Kuster highlighted the importance of increased funding to address the opioid epidemic**
Washington,
May 12, 2021
**The full Subcommittee hearing is available HERE**
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), questioned Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra during a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing entitled, "The Fiscal Year 2022 HHS Budget." During the hearing, Kuster questioned Secretary Becerra about the budgetary needs of HHS for the Fiscal Year 2022, focusing on HHS’s plans for programs to address the opioid epidemic and ensure the United States can fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The HHS funding request put forward by the Biden-Harris administration is exactly what we need at this moment to address the many challenges our country faces,” said Rep. Kuster. “As we recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 public health crisis, we must focus on the rising number of drug overdose deaths and expanding access to prevention, treatment, and support for those who are struggling with substance abuse. This budget request includes over $10 billion to address the substance misuse epidemic, and I believe that the administration’s proposal will save lives in New Hampshire and across the nation. I thank Secretary Becerra for joining us today and I look forward to working with HHS as we continue our efforts to expand access to high-quality health care, address the opioid epidemic, and build back better from the pandemic.”
Since the onset of COVID-19, Kuster has been a leader in Congress to ensure essential health services continue to be available for Americans in New Hampshire and across the country. Kuster helped get the American Rescue Plan signed into law, which delivered critical support for the Granite State, including more than $1.4 billion in state and local relief funding and nearly $1 million to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, Kuster is also leading legislation to advance evidence-based policies to end the addiction and mental health crises in America through prevention and treatment.
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