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This week, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation to further address the Zika virus. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the passing of this legislation:
"These bills will help us in our efforts to keep our nation safe," said Congressman Bilirakis. "In my district, we have had at least 4 confirmed cases of this virus. As we continue to learn more about the Zika virus, we must do all we can to proactively protect our communities."
Today, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) appointed 21 House Republican lawmakers to serve on a bipartisan conference committee charged with producing final legislation to fight the nation's opioid epidemic. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) has been appointed to represent the House on the conference committee on issues within the jurisdiction of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Congressman Bilirakis released the following statement:
The House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health today held a hearing to examine a recently proposed rule from CMS on its Part B Drug Payment Model. The proposed rule is a mandatory experiment, which would be conducted across the country. Members reviewed legislation which would block the proposal from advancing.
This week, the United States House of Representatives passed several bills to address drug abuse and addiction in the U.S.
"This epidemic affects families and communities across the nation," said Congressman Bilirakis. "But this issue is especially prevalent in our Veteran population, which is why I introduced the PROMISE Act to help address the many problems related to Veteran opioid use."
The House Veterans' Affairs Committee today held a hearing to address the issue of Veteran suicide. Members and witnesses from the Department of Veterans' Affairs reviewed current prevention efforts to evaluate effectiveness and determine steps to reform current programs and resources.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the federal court ruling in House v. Burwell:
Molly P. is 30 years old and the mother of a little girl who just celebrated her first birthday. A former gymnast, she had her first knee surgery at 15. Her first painkiller followed immediately afterward.
Vicodin. Then another surgery and a prescription for Percocet. At 20, she was in a pain management clinic. It came with a script for Dilaudid. Ten years later, she is in a methadone treatment program run by Operation PAR.
"I am a gratefully recovering addict,'' she said. "It's a wonderful thing.''
Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) met with Florida Governor Rick Scott, along with Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) and Congressman Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), to discuss the Zika virus.
NEW PORT RICHEY — More Americans die from substance abuse than car accidents each year, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis emphasized during the drug control panel discussion he convened last week.
"We have a broken system with too many individuals falling through the cracks, and not getting the help they need," Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, said. "This is true for our nation's heroes and for anyone suffering with substance abuse and mental illness."
Florida has some of the most dangerous roads in the country. Many lives have been lost due to car accidents, and we all have horror stories trying to navigate the hazards of a daily commute. But, did you know, there have been more deaths related to drug abuse than car accidents in the U.S.?
Our nation is battling an epidemic and our state is on the front lines. Some of us may not see opioid abuse as clearly as we see a car accident, but our communities feel the effects. We must do everything we can to address this epidemic.