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WASHINGTON — A package to bolster the federal response to opiate addiction passed the House Friday with strong bipartisan support, though many Democrats — including Rep. Peter Welch — said the bill does not do enough to take on the nationwide crisis.
The bill passed with overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle, on a vote of 396-14.
Welch, D-Vt., said in an interview Thursday that while he views the measure as a positive development, he does not believe it is a sufficient response.
“It does no harm, so I support what we’re doing but make no claim that it meets the challenge that we face,” Welch said.
The package included dozens of bills the House has been voting on over the past two weeks, including addressing the types of medical professionals who can prescribe the treatment drug buprenorphine, making it easier for states to use federal funding to pay for patients in large treatment facilities.
However, Welch said the elements of the package are “modest.” He said he would like to see lawmakers take a more comprehensive approach to addressing the crisis.
“This bill is a far cry from what we need,” Welch said. “We need a Marshall Plan response on opioids.”
Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, authored the wide-ranging measure.
Walden said the package sends a signal about recognition of the situation in Congress.
“Not only are we passing legislation that will save lives, but we want to leave no doubt in the minds of those suffering from addiction that the United States House of Representatives — Republicans and Democrats alike — stand with them,” Walden said on the House floor. “For too long, embarrassment and stigma surrounded the disease of addiction. It’s time for that to change.”
Welch, a member of House Energy and Commerce, sponsored three of the bills that were incorporated into the final legislation.
One measure extends a heightened federal contribution to pay for Medicaid patients who receive substance abuse treatment services through models like Vermont’s hub-and-spoke system.
Another measure requires Medicare and Medicaid to track prescribers and identify those who over-prescribe opiate medications.
A third bill aims to raise awareness of non-opioid pain management treatment options for Medicare recipients.
Welch said he believes there is “some hypocrisy” on the part of House Republican leadership, because the GOP has led efforts to cut funding to the Medicaid program, which funds treatment efforts in many areas.
Welch said he views the role of the federal government in combating the crisis as “very important but very limited.”
“Actual work has to be done really at the micro-community, person-to-person level,” he said.
In many areas in Vermont, communities are uniting across law enforcement, faith groups, families and more to address addiction, he said.
Welch said he believes the federal government can help by providing resources and tools to people on the front lines. The federal government should also put resources into developing pain management alternatives to opioids, he said.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Welch: Congressional opiate package falls short.