Dear Friends,
It was a busy week here in Washington, with Congress passing several pieces of major legislation to move our country forward. Although we disagree on many issues, it is encouraging to see Republicans and Democrats focus on our shared goals and legislate from the middle out.
From funding our national security and supporting our service members and veterans to passing game-changing legislation to address the opioid epidemic at the local level, it was an incredibly productive week. While we have a lot of work ahead to address the issues our country is facing, I am more determined than ever to make progress and deliver for New Hampshire families.
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Tackling the overdose crisis requires an all-of-the-above approach. |
Substance use disorder doesn’t care about your political party or where you live – neither should our approach to addressing this crisis. This epidemic has impacted every community across our country — we can and must do more to help save lives.
This week, my Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force co-chairs and I wrote an op-ed in Newsweek, urging all of our congressional colleagues to vote in favor of reauthorizing the SUPPORT Act.
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Drug deaths nationwide hit a new record in 2022 — we can and must do more to save lives. |
The SUPPORT Act is game-changing legislation that expanded access to recovery programs, invested in the mental health and substance use disorder workforce, supported training for first responders, and required expanded access to FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder. It put safeguards in place so that when the opioid crisis worsened during the pandemic, communities were equipped to combat it and save lives.
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I’m thankful the House passed my legislation to help save lives. |
Thankfully, the House voted overwhelmingly this week to pass my legislation reauthorizing the SUPPORT Act — ensuring communities nationwide will have the tools to address substance use disorder at the local level.
It was long past time for Congress to reauthorize these critical programs to address addiction, and I hope this legislation can serve as a building block to strengthen our national approach to this crisis and help save lives.
You can read the full op-ed in Newsweek here.
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Families deserve to know what they’re being charged for and why at the doctor’s office and the pharmacy counter. |
For too many patients in New Hampshire and across the country, high costs and a confusing health care landscape are barriers to accessing the services and medicines they need. Families deserve to know what they’re being charged for and why at the doctor's office and the pharmacy counter.
This week, the House passed the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, expansive legislation that includes important measures to bring more transparency to the health care system. By requiring hospitals, health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers to share more data with their patients, the cost of treatment and medications will be easier for Granite Staters to navigate and understand.
I’m pleased that my bills to reduce unnecessary red tape and increase transparency in our health care system were included in this package. While this legislation represents an important step forward, I’ll keep working to lower costs and make health care more accessible for all.
You can learn more about this legislation here.
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Nearly two-thirds of justice-involved individuals have a substance use disorder. |
Ending the substance use disorder epidemic requires an all-of-government approach — that includes addressing the connection between addiction and recidivism in the justice system. Currently, Medicaid is prohibited from providing coverage to people who are incarcerated or awaiting trial, regardless of prior eligibility. Allowing Medicaid to pay for services such as medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in prison and jail settings will help address one of the root causes of the substance use crisis, lower the risk of overdose, and better prepare justice-involved individuals for community reentry. This week, I introduced bipartisan legislation to address this issue and reform the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion policy. The data is clear: a failure to treat substance use disorder in our prisons prevents individuals from fully recovering and reentering their communities. My bipartisan legislation to reform the outdated and flawed Medicaid Inmate Exclusion policy will save communities money and better support those with substance use disorder, mental illness, and trauma. You can read more about this legislation here
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I will always fight for our service members, veterans, and their families. |
One of the core responsibilities of Congress is to ensure the security of the United States of America. As the daughter of a World War II veteran and prisoner of war, this is personal to me.
This week, I was proud to vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act to support our active duty service members, veterans, and their families. This bill takes critical steps to strengthen our national defense, including increasing military pay by 5.2%, expanding child care access, supporting our allies abroad, investing in defense innovation, and more.
I urge the president to quickly sign this into law for the sake of our country and our future.
You can learn more about this critical legislation here.
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This bill will bring service to over 130,000 people in New Hampshire’s Second District. |
Also this week, the House passed my 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement (SALE) Act, sending it to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
Currently, over 50 cell sites in New Hampshire’s Second District are sitting inactive because the FCC’s authority to grant the licenses to turn on these sites has expired. My bill will allow broadband providers to turn on existing cell sites, expanding service to reach over 130,000 more people in New Hampshire’s Second District, many in rural and underserved areas.
You can read more about this legislation here.
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Innovative screening tools and treatments only work if they’re accessible. |
Tune in to WMUR's CloseUp this weekend! |
Want to hear more about what's going on in Congress and my work to lower costs, grow the middle class, and strengthen our national security? Catch me on WMUR's CloseUp with Adam Sexton this Sunday, December 17th!
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Covered for 2024? The open enrollment period for www.HealthCare.gov is happening now through the end of the year – whether you are looking for new coverage or to update your existing plan, don’t miss your chance to get health care in 2024.
It could be more affordable than you think – 4 out of 5 Americans can find plans for less than $10 a month with premium tax credits! Enroll, adjust your coverage, or change plans by TONIGHT, December 15, 2023, to receive coverage starting January 1st.
You can check to see if you qualify for a premium tax credit here.
Don't wait. Visit www.healthcare.gov today!
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To stay updated on my work in Congress and around the Granite State and for important information and resources, like my page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.
I hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend! Be bold, be brave, be kind. Sincerely, Annie
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