House Acts to Address Opioid Crisis   Washington, DC (June 22, 2018) - The House of Representatives today approved in a bipartisan vote H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) voted for the measure, which includes legislative language he had introduced. He issued the following statement: “Opioids have exacted a high toll from families across America and in the Ninth District. This crisis requires action at multiple levels, from prevention to treatment to law enforcement. The legislation passed today responds to the opioid epidemic in a comprehensive fashion. H.R. 6 results from years of work in the Energy and Commerce Committee and the House, and I believe it will help turn the tide. “Further, I am pleased that H.R. 6 includes language I introduced regarding state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). PDMPs can be valuable tools in fighting the opioid crisis, and my bills help improve them and integrate them into the work of physicians. “Together, the House has acted to support the people in our communities struggling with opioid addiction.” Background The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act is a bipartisan bill to address the opioid crisis. It includes measures previously advanced by the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee and passed by the House of Representatives. Two of the provisions are bills introduced by Congressman Griffith that had previously passed the House. They are: H.R. 5812, the Creating Opportunities that Necessitate New and Enhanced Connections That Improve Opioid Navigation Strategies (CONNECTIONS) Act, which improves federal support for state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) and provides for enhanced collection of substance abuse data. H.R. 5801, the Medicaid Providers Are Required To Note Experiences in Record Systems to Help In-need Patients (PARTNERSHIP) Act, which incorporates PDMP data into the clinical workflow of Medicaid providers.

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