| Congress Must Not Lose Sight of the Opioid Crisis |
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Today marks the second anniversary of President Donald J. Trump signing landmark legislation to fight the opioid epidemic – the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) – into law. The bipartisan bill was a sweeping response to the opioid epidemic that is devastating communities across West Virginia and the nation.
The SUPPORT Act included four bills we introduced:
- H.R. 5176, the Preventing Overdoses While in Emergency Rooms (POWER) Act provides resources for hospitals to develop protocols on discharging patients who have overdosed. This will help avoid repeat overdoses by connecting patients with peer-support specialists, and referring them to treatment and other services.
- H.R. 5197, the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department Act tests alternative pain management protocols to limit to use of opioids in hospital emergency departments, and reduce the over-prescribing of opioids.
- H.R. 5695, Emmett’s Law educates health care providers about information on substance abuse and overdoses they can share with family members.
- H.R. 5628, Access to Increased Drug Disposal Act: This bill will help improve access to safe drug disposal programs for prescription medicine.
While Congress and the public are rightfully focused on addressing the public health and economic challenges we face due to COVID-19, we can’t forget the families struggling with addiction. The opioid epidemic has not gone away. In fact, across the country overdose deaths have only increased.
Our office is continuing to fight for more funding for West Virginia and working on new legislation to improve access to treatment and prevent drug companies from pill dumping in the future. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. Congress must place a priority on addressing this crisis.
To read more on the SUPPORT Act, click here.
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| National Drug Take Back Day |
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Today is National Drug Take Back Day. Having excess and unused medicine lying around is a recipe for danger. These pills need to be safely and properly disposed of so they won’t be misused, stolen or sold.
Last October, 882,919 pounds of prescription drugs were collected amounting to an astonishing 12,699,456 pounds of drugs collected through this DEA event since its inception. We know from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health that the medicine cabinet is a significant source for abuse, with the study finding that the majority of the almost 10 million Americans who abused prescription drugs acquired drugs from friends and family
Click here to find a Drug Take Back Day location near you.
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| Standing Up for Hospitals |
Yesterday, I sent a letter with 239 Member of Congress to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar expressing concerns over recent changes to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) requirements.
The funds authorized under CARES Act provided critical relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds have been used to help protect the safety of frontline doctors and nurses, ensure access to quality care, and in many cases, have helped enable providers to keep their doors open during these challenging times.
Even before the pandemic, rural hospitals across West Virginia have been hanging on by a thread. The funding Congress provided in the CARES Act has provided stability for hospitals to provide the level of care our communities are counting on. Penalizing hospitals and making it harder to keep this much-needed relief is the last thing we need right now.
Since the letter was sent, HHS announced it revised their changes back to allow hospitals more flexibility.
Click here to read more.
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| House Needs to Hold a Hearing on Big Tech Censorship |
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I joined House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans in a letter demanding a hearing on Big Tech censorship policies.
"This recent censorship controversy is just one more in a litany of instances in which these companies have shown utter disregard for being democratic public squares and seek to suppress speech that does not advance their particular agenda."
For more information, click here.
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| USDA Awards $7.6 Million in Broadband Infrastructure Projects |
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $7.6 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure projects in Barbour, Randolph, Webster and Doddridge counties. These investments will help connect 6,054 people, 58 farms, 41 businesses, three fire stations, two public schools, and two post offices to high-speed broadband internet!
To read more, click here.
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| National Suicide Hotline Designation Act Signed into Law |
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Great news, President Donald J. Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act into law!
I have been a strong advocate for a three-digit suicide prevention hotline for several years after hearing about the concept in roundtable meetings with veterans. Since then I have pushed hard on this issue.
When a veteran or anyone else is struggling with thoughts of suicide or having any mental health crisis, the last thing they are thinking about is looking up a number to call. Establishing the 3-digit hotline is a simple step that will help save lives.
To learn more on my work for a suicide hotline, click here.
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| Free COVID19 Testing Near You |
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources offers free COVID-19 testing in counties located near you.
Harrison County
EVERY Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Jackson Square (back door of the Health Department)
Traders Alley
Clarksburg, WV
Marion County
EVERY Tuesday and Thursday
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Marion County Health Department
300 Second Street
Fairmont, WV
Monongalia County
EVERY Wednesday
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
West Virginia University
Student Recreation Center
2001 Rec Center Drive
Morgantown, WV
Taylor County
EVERY Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Grafton
2034 Webster Pike (US Rt. 119 South)
Grafton, WV
*Will not be held Monday, October 12 due to state holiday
(flu shots offered Tuesdays and Thursdays)
For more information on upcoming testing locations, click here.
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| West Virginia Strong - The Comeback Plan |
Over twenty-one thousand COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in West Virginia as of today. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources established a toll-free hotline for questions from the public and medical providers concerning the pandemic. The department also has a website with the most up-to-date information regarding the confirmed and pending cases.
In May, Governor Jim Justice announced his plan for reopening the economy. Reopening will not happen suddenly, but with time. We should be able to open in a safe and cautious manner as long as we continue to follow the social distancing guidelines.
The STAY-AT-HOME order was lifted on Sunday, May 3rd and a SAFER-AT-HOME was put in place on Monday, May 4th.
In July, Governor Jim Justice announced starting on Tuesday, July 7, West Virginia will have an indoor face covering requirement in all public indoor places where social distancing cannot be maintained. Do your part to slow the spread and keep each other safe.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Toll-Free Hotline 24/7
1- 800 - 887- 4304
More information on the indoor face covering requirement, click here.
More Information, click here.
Click here for the COVID19 West Virginia website.
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| CDC Recommedations |
We encourage everyone to follow the CDC recommendations on how to help protect yourself and others.
Take these steps to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, which the chorus to Country Roads lasts about that long.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% of alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in the community.
- Wear a cloth face covering in public settings.
Take these steps to protect others:
- Stay home if you are except to receive medical care.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues and throw away the tissue.
- Clean and disinfect touched surface areas daily.
For more updated information from the CDC click here.
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