macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 1818. the "Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2015." which emphasizes the necessity to add requirements and procedures that assist veterans with military EMT training to meet state EMT certification. licensure. and other requirements. I support this legislation. because it benefits states with a shortage of emergency medical technicians. H.R. 1818 allows veterans to reenter society and assist the helpless within the emergency medical community. The bill enables the Public Health Service Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services in an efficient approach for veteran assistance. Specifically. H.R. 1818 requires the secretary to establish a program consisting of awarding demonstration grants to states to streamline state requirements and procedures. H.R. 1818 determines the extent to which the requirements for education. training. and skill level of emergency medical technicians are equivalent to the requirements for military emergency medical technicians. The bill identifies methods to facilitate the attainment of state requirements for military emergency medical technicians. For proper usage of the grant provided by the bill. a state shall demonstrate its shortage of emergency medical technicians. This bill introduces a feasible alternative for veterans within the community. With consistent experience in high pressure situations and emergency environments. veterans are the appropriate choice for this profession. This is a comprehensive bill that will simultaneously provide opportunity for veterans while alleviating the shortage of staff in a medical specialty involving care for undifferentiated and unscheduled patients with illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention. I urge all Members to join me in support of H.R. 1818.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4969. the John Thomas Decker Act. A crisis of this magnitude requires a multiprong. robust response across the full continuum of those exposed to and affected by addiction. People suffering from addiction are originally prescribed or exposed to opioids in a wide variety of circumstances. one of which is through youth sports injuries. H.R. 4969. the John Thomas Decker Act. will bring needed education on the danger of opioids and the benefits of alternative approaches to pain treatment to youth sports. The John Thomas Decker Act will direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Injury Prevention to examine and report on what informational materials and resources are currently available to teenagers and adolescents participating in sports on the dangers of opioid use and misuse. alternative treatment options. and how to seek treatment for addiction. Based on the findings of this report. the legislation directs the CDC and the National Center for Injury Prevention to develop and disseminate such informational materials as necessary. Young people playing sports who incur an injury for which painkillers are frequently prescribed can be uniquely vulnerable to addiction if they or their parents. guardians. and coaches are not well informed of the potential for misuse. abuse. and addiction. H.R. 4969 will play a role in helping curb the epidemic opioid abuse and heroin use by ensuring adequate and appropriately tailored resources for our Nations youth. I thank the bill sponsor. Representative MEEHAN. for introducing this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support the John Thomas Decker Act. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 4969. the "John Thomas Decker Act of 2016." Our nation values the importance of transparency and availability of public information regarding prescription drugs. This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to report on the availability of information regarding prescription of opioids after youth sports injury. This report includes the information on opioid use and misuse. injury treatments that do not involve opioids. and treatment for opioid addiction. The report must determine the extent this information is available to teenagers and adolescents who play youth sports. their families. youth sports groups. and health care providers. Opioids are drugs with effects similar to opium. such as heroin and certain pain medications. In addition to stimulants and central nervous system (CNS) depressants. prescription opioids are one of the three main broad categories of medications that present abuse liability. Due to prescription opioids similarity to heroin and morphine. they present an intrinsic abuse and addiction liability for nonmedical purposes. Opioid. heroin. and morphine act on the same brain systems. In an effort to increase their euphoric effects. the "high". people tend to take them in their most dangerous and addictive methods. Understanding the dangers of these addictive drugs highlight the importance of John Thomas Decker Act. which increases awareness and educating the youth people of the adverse effects of opioids. H.R. 4969 also allows for public transparency in making available public reports. informational materials. and resources are available to teenagers. their families. and health professionals. Our country has acknowledged the importance of preventive healthcare and education within our nation. Providing education to those directly or indirectly associated with opioid usage enables them to have control over their thoughts and actions. offsetting the potential for drug abuse. I support this legislation because it will help protect the integrity of consumers through implementation of effective preventative strategies. H.R. 4969 provides the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with specific responsibilities for dissemination. H.R. 4969 is a positive step in the right direction and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4586. Lalis Law. Mr. Speaker. between 2001 and 2014. there was a threefold increase in prescription drug overdoses and a sixfold increase in heroin overdoses in the United States. We must do more to prevent drug misuse and abuse to avoid these tragedies in the first place. We must also ensure that those suffering from addiction to prescription and nonprescription drugs have access to potentially lifesaving treatments when and where they need it. Naloxone has proven to be a successful lifesaving intervention for patients presenting with overdose if administered quickly. When used. naloxone helps restore breathing that has been stopped by the overdose and has potential for saving thousands of lives each year. H.R. 4586 would create a competitive grant program to help States increase access to overdose reversal medications. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund State programs that allow pharmacists to distribute overdose reversal drugs without a personprescription to qualified individuals or entities. To be effective. overdose reversal drugs must be given to the patient almost immediately. In an emergency situation. the ability for emergency medical technicians. law enforcement. substance abuse treatment providers. and qualified individuals to have such medications on hand can make the difference between life and death. Qualified individuals and entities often need to possess treatment before a specific patient is identified. Many States have established and use these programs to allow local law enforcement officers or emergency medical technicians to carry and use the overdose reversal drug naloxone. H.R. 4586 would expand these programs by helping States develop standing orders and educate healthcare professionals about dispensing these medications without personspecific prescriptions. I want to thank the bills sponsors. the gentlewoman from Massachusetts
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4586. also known as Lalis Law. Sadly. Lalis Law was named after Alex Laliberte: a Buffalo Grove. Illinois resident who tragically passed away seven years ago from a drug overdose. Alex was a good kid. He was an athlete during high school. and also did well academically. During his sophomore year in college. he began being hospitalized for a mysterious illness. Unknown to his friends and family. Alex soon developed an addiction to the prescription drugs and was being hospitalized for withdrawal. He would stay in the hospital until his symptoms subsided only to leave the hospital and repeat the cycle. Alex continued this cycle until he died of an opioid overdose a few days before his final exams. He was only 20 years old. Our lack of education on opioids and harm reduction contributed to Alexs early death. and we must act to prevent a repeat of this tragedy. Lalis Law is an important piece of legislation that would authorize grants to states to develop standing orders and educate health care professionals about the dispensing of opioid overdose reversal medication without personspecific prescriptions. In addition. this bill would encourage pharmacies to dispense opioid overdose reversal medication pursuant to a standing order. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2.1 million people nationwide abuse opioids. Mr. Speaker. Lalis Law is instrumental in helping these victims reverse their addiction. Lalis Law would also implement the following guidelines and practices for those people authorized to prescribe the medication: Only prescribe opioids for chronic pain Opioid overdose reversal medication must be coprescribed with opioids. and the purpose and administration of opioid overdose reversal medication must be discussed with the patients. Furthermore. H.R. 4586 would require the development and adaptation of training materials and methods for the people authorized to prescribe or dispense the medication to use in educating the public. which includes: When and how to administer opioid overdose reversal medication. and The steps that should be taken after administering the opioid overdose reversal medication. Lastly. Lalis Law would educate the public regarding the health benefits of the opioid reversal medication and the availability of the medication without a personspecific prescription. In 2014. rates of opioid overdose deaths jumped significantly. from 7.9 per 100.000 in 2013 to 9.0 per 100.000. which is a 14 percent increase. Mr. Speaker. I join my colleagues in support of H.R. 4586. This legislation is vital for reducing opioidrelated deaths across our nation. protecting the lives of those at risk to opioid abuse. It is our job to make sure that Alexs lasting legacy includes helping others get a second chance at recovery and a second chance at life.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise to voice my support for H.R. 4599. Reducing Unused Medications Act. Opioid abuse in the United States is rising at alarming rates. In 2014. nearly 2 million Americans abused or were addicted to prescription opioids. Opioids are now one of the most prescribed classes of medications. and the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that over 70 percent of adults who misuse prescription opioids get them from a friend or relative. A promising step to reduce the number of prescription opioids is a permanent partial filling of these prescriptions. Current Drug Enforcement Administration regulations allow pharmacists to partially fill prescriptions for schedule III. IV. and V substances. however. only allow partial fulfillment of schedule II substances in longtermcare settings or to terminally ill patients and when the full prescription cannot be supplied. While these regulations do not explicitly prohibit a pharmacist from partially filling prescriptions for schedule II substances outside of these certain limited circumstances. DEA recognizes that the regulations lack clarity as to when partial filling of schedule II substances is permitted. This bill would provide clarity. The Reducing Unused Medications Act would allow pharmacists. at the request of patients or doctors. to partially fill prescriptions for schedule II drugs. such as opioids. meaning that a patient or doctor can request to receive a 10day supply of a 30day prescription initially and then return later to receive the remaining portion. if needed. This flexibility may help reduce the number of unused pills in circulation and reduce the risk of substance misuse. diversion. and overdose. The bipartisan bill before us reflects a careful compromise that holds the potential to reduce the amount of unused opioid medications in circulation and is an important step in helping curb a growing opioid epidemic. I want to thank Representatives CLARK and STIVERS for their leadership in sponsoring this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the Reducing Unused Medications Act. Mr. Speaker. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts . the sponsor of this bill.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4599 the "Reducing Unused Medication Act of 2016". This bill is an important measure that will decrease the number of unused medications available for misuse to the public by setting limitations on the most frequent avenues used to secure unused medication. As we know. many times patients are prescribed medication far beyond their needs. Unused prescription medication creates a lethal danger to households and communities across America. and failing to properly dispose of unfinished medications can have dire consequences on the environment and our ecosystem. According to a new study conducted by Geisinger Health System and published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association just 11 percent of unused prescription drugs were disposed of via drug takeback programs. while 55 percent were left in the medicine cabinet. 14 percent were thrown in the trash. and 9 percent were flushed down the toilet. As we have heard many unfortunate stories as we bring greater awareness to this issue. we know that abuse of medicine among teenagers is a growing problem. Easy access to parents and grandparents leftover medications is just throwing gasoline on the fire. Meanwhile. more than 60.000 young children are taken to the emergency room each year after ingesting a family members medication. With respect to the environment. the FDA no longer recommends flushing drugs down the toiler because sewage treatment plants lack the capacity to remove pharmaceuticals and personal care products residue. H.R. 4599 will amend the Controlled Substances Act to permit certain fillings of prescriptionssuch that a prescription for a controlled substance may be partially filled if: It is not prohibited by state law. The prescription is written and filled in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act. regulations prescribed by the Attorney General. and State law. The partial fill is requested by the patient or the practitioner that wrote the prescription. and The total quantity dispensed in all partial fillings does not exceed the total quantity prescribed. Mr. Speaker. enacting this legislation will work to not only combat a number of prescription drug abuses. but also deal a debilitating blow to the mounting opioid abuse epidemic.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4982. Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act. Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease that can be effectively treated. but it requires ongoing management. As the current epidemic has drawn sharply into focus. significantly more resources are needed to ensure availability of and access to evidencebased treatment. A public healthbased approach to drug abuse and addiction requires having broadbased treatment services available for those with opioid use disorders. including both behavioral therapies and proven medicationassisted treatment and insurance coverage for such treatment. Medicationassisted treatment is often in combination with behavioral treatment. which has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of opioid addiction. However. many patients in need of treatment face significant barriers. Physicians cite barriers finding and placing patients in addiction treatment and recovery programs. Current capacity of treatment and recovery programs is inadequate to meet the populations needs. There are too few physicians and programs offering treatment and recovery services. In order to address these shortages. better information and data is needed for our existing opioid treatment infrastructure. H.R. 4982. the Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act. will direct the GAO to conduct a study on the inpatient and outpatient treatment capacity of the United States. It instructs the agency to examine the capacity of acute residential or inpatient detoxification programs. inpatient clinical stabilization programs. transitional residential support services. and residential rehabilitation programs. The GAO is directed to report on geographic differences in the availability of treatment and recovery programs for substance abuse disorders. the availability of programs that offer evidencebased treatment options. including the use of FDAapproved medications. and the number of patients different treatment settings. Finally. the agency would include an assessment of the need for residential and outpatient treatment for substance use disorders across the continuum of care. We must face this crisis headon and address the serious gaps in evidencebased treatment. The Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act will help us do this. I want to thank the bills sponsor. Representative BILL FOSTER. for introducing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the act. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4981. the Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Expansion and Modernization Act. Despite the fact that we are in the middle of an unprecedented opioid and heroin crisis. we know that treatment gaps continue to limit our ability to address the growing crisis. Only 1 in 10 people struggling with addiction receive any form of treatment. despite the fact that we have evidencebased. medicationassisted treatment for those struggling with prescription drug or heroin addiction. One available treatment is buprenorphine. The medication is safely prescribed from an office setting similar to any other medication a patient might take. Unfortunately. in the midst of our current opioid epidemic. currently. physicians are restricted to how many patients they are allowed to treat with this medication. and nurse practitioners and physician assistants are not allowed to treat patients with this medication at all. As a result. many patients are placed on prolonged waiting lists with addiction specialists as they await access to this treatment. This is not acceptable. We must significantly increase the cap of the number of patients a physician can treat. as well as permanently allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to treat patients with this medication. Todays legislation is not perfect. but it is the first step toward reaching bicameral. bipartisan agreement on a package that meets these goals. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to expand access to this important evidencebased treatment as we move to conference with the Senate. I want to thank the bills sponsors. fellow members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Representative PAUL TONKO and Representative LARRY BUCSHON. for introducing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Expansion and Modernization Act. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York . a fellow member on the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Date: 2016-05-11
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4981 the "Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Expansion and Modernization Act". This bill highlights the abuse of opioids that has become a public health epidemic. Opioids are drugs with effects similar to opium. such as heroin and certain pain medications. H.R. 4981 would encourage and train health care providers to prescribe overdose reversal drugs. such as Naloxone. when they prescribe common opioidslike pain medication to patients at risk of addiction. The plague of opioid overdose deaths across the nation is disturbing. but there are ways to combat this trend. Any party receiving treatment assessments under this legislation will be privy to the following. 1. A treatment plan and periodic assessments. 2. Will also be subject to medication adherence and substance use monitoring. 3. Treatment options. including all drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid use disorder. including their potential risks and benefits. 4. Receiving regular counseling services is critical to recovery. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 259 million opioid prescriptions were written in 2012. more than enough for every adult in the United States. Enacting this legislation will implement a diversion control plan that contains specific measures to reduce the likelihood of the diversion of controlled substances prescribed by the physician for the treatment of opioid use disorder. In 2013 nearly 4.5 million people in the United States without a valid medical need were using prescription painkillers. Both states and the federal government have begun responding to this growing public health crisis. The Obama administration has awarded $94 million to community health centers to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services. Mr. Speaker. the mounting number of people adversely affected and the over 25.000 lives lost expressly demonstrates the need for this type of legislation. H.R. 4981 is a positive step in the right direction and I urge all members to support this important legislation.
Date: 2016-05-12
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I believe everyone in this Chamber will agree with me that when we invest in our students and in our schools. we invest in the future success of this Nation. Yet. as I hear from so many of my students back home. the rising costs make affording college harder and harder for them and their families. On average. the class of 2016 will graduate with about $37.000 in student debt. up about 6 percent from last year. The number of students graduating from college with debt is about 70 percent of them. For this reason. comprehensive higher education reform should be at the forefront of our legislative agenda here in Congress. Programs such as the Pell grant and the Perkins Loan Program should be increased so that we can increase the availability of the American Dream. Next week I plan to reintroduce the Middle Class CHANCE Act. which will aid our students in affording college by increasing the strength of the Pell Grant. It is time for this Congress to address the increasing costs of college and make college more affordable for future generations and working families.