Commentary: WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 26, 2017) - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s order to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency:
“The opioid and heroin addiction epidemic is a national crisis that has been deeply felt by New Mexicans. Too many families have lost loved ones and many more are struggling to find treatment and recovery resources for a father, mother, son, daughter, or for themselves.
“This half measure falls far short of President Trump’s own opioid commission’s recommendations to provide the necessary funds to combat this devastating health crisis. If President Trump is truly taking the opioid epidemic seriously, then he and Republicans in Congress should stop repeatedly trying to upend the nation’s health care system and slash Medicaid funding, which pays for 30 percent of opioid medication-assisted treatment in New Mexico.
“We know that evidence based treatment works, but we have to devote real resources to pay for it. Empty promises will not give our communities and families struggling with opioid addiction the opportunity to receive comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation so they can turn their lives around and help their communities heal in the process.”
Ahead of the President's speech, Senator Heinrich cosponsored legislation to invest $45 billion for prevention, detection, surveillance and treatment of opioids.