CALL:
Representative John H. Rutherford
(202) 225-2501 or (904) 831-5205;
House Appropriations Committee
(202) 225-2771
DEMAND CONGRESS FUND THE FIGHT AGAINST THE OPIOID CRISIS
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans under 50, and these deaths rose by an unprecedented 19% between 2015 and 2016. Although opioid epidemic is growing unabated, Republicans have failed to allocate sufficient funding to combat this crisis. In fact, the House Appropriations Committee’s draft for its 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding bill would reduce funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding by almost $200 million and fails to increase funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Substance Abuse Block Grant.
Additionally, the funding bill prohibits the use of discretionary funds to implement the Affordable Care Act, including compensation for ACA Navigators, who play a critical role in helping people secure health insurance coverage. Access to health insurance is absolutely essential for people with substance use disorders, especially since under the ACA ‘s mandates, insurers must cover substance abuse treatment in exchange plans.
Sample Script:
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
[IF COMMITTEE, ADD]: I’d like to pass along a message for the Chairman and committee members.
I’m calling to express my concern about reductions in funding for the CDC, SAMHSA, and other public health agencies in the 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. These agencies are essential in combatting the growing opioid epidemic, and their resources should be increased, not reduced, for the next fiscal year.
Thank you for your time and attention.
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