Shaheen on Release of Opioid Commission Report: Trump Administration Must Quickly Pivot to Delivering Real Support to First Responders and Treatment Providers

“I appreciate the findings in this report and agree with many of the recommendations, including the proposal to declare a federal state of emergency,” said Senator Shaheen. “New Hampshire has been in a state of emergency for several years with significant annual increases in opioid deaths. The Trump administration must quickly pivot to delivering real support to first responders and treatment providers. To date, President Trump has not delivered on his promise to New Hampshire to provide resources and help end this epidemic. Instead, his administration has proposed policies and drastic budget cuts that would exacerbate this crisis. This report further underscores the need for President Trump to abandon efforts to repeal healthcare, and instead, begin prioritizing bipartisan policies that provide more coverage for opioid treatment. I stand ready and willing to work with this administration, and build on the recent progress that Congress has made to provide more resources to fight the opioid epidemic. This crisis continues to devastate Granite State families and communities on a daily basis, New Hampshire cannot afford any more foot-dragging from the Trump administration.”