Health officials urge passage of Build Back Better to combat overdose epidemic

President Joe Biden speaks in Woodstock, New Hampshire on Tuesday.

Photo: John Tully/Getty Images

Biden Administration health officials today marked the milestone of 100,000 lives lost to the overdose epidemic between April 2020 and April of this year by stressing the importance for Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act, which includes $11 billion to address the epidemic.

In a speech in New Hampshire on Tuesday, President Joe Biden said he expected the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better legislation would be passed within a week's time, according to Reuters.

During a press call on Wednesday, Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the more than 100,000 lives lost to drug overdoses in a year's time represents an American perishing every five minutes.

"This is an inflection point in the epidemic," Gupta said.

"We can't do this without Congress," Gupta said. "We need Congress to fully fund Biden's budget request."

WHY THIS MATTERS

The $11 billion Includes funding to stop the flow of drugs and money to address inequities and poverty.

Drug overdose deaths are being driven by fentanyl and methamphetamine coming into the country, said Anne Milgram, administrator of Drug Enforcement Administration

Access to the lifesaving narcotic overdose drug naloxone would be increased through a new model to help states implement policies to make it available to all who need it through a grant program, Gupta said.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra said the strategy funded by Biden's budget is for prevention, harm reduction, evidence-based treatment and recovery support.

He said that would, "Say to the world it's not just a matter of a drug use disorder, it's to prevent anyone from dying from an overdose. Overdose deaths have devastated our communities."

The rate for African Americans is higher than for other racial groups, showing the need for more equitable action, according to Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.

This is "making sure your zip code doesn't determine whether you get naloxone or not," Becerra said.

THE LARGER TREND

For hospitals, opioid addiction strains resources already overburdened by the continued COVID-19 pandemic. 

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com