Cong. John Joyce | Official U.S. House headshot
Cong. John Joyce | Official U.S. House headshot
Washington, DC – On June 12, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), joined a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing, hosted in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to address the opioid crisis and discuss reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act.
“We are meeting together today at one of the most important historical sites in our Nation’s history. As we approach the 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, we recognize the 7,058 Americans who lost their lives at this site and remember their sacrifice today as we meet on another issue devastating our community here and across the nation today,” said Congressman Joyce. “That is the scourge of addiction and drug overdoses, which in recent years have erased over 100,000 Americans annually - leaving behind devastated families, loved ones and friends.”
Watch Congressman Joyce’s opening remarks here.
Testifying before the Committee were the following witnesses with first-hand experience confronting the opioid crisis:
- Ms. Emily Keller, Special Secretary of Opioid Response, Opioid Operational Command Center, Office of Governor Wes Moore
- Mr. Mike Straley, Founder, Leah’s Legacy Foundation
- Dr. Mitchell Crawford, D.O., Medical Director, Specialized Treatment and Recovery, WellSpan Health; Director, Addiction Services, WellSpan Health
- Chief William Ceravola, Reading Township Police Department
- Increased access to addiction treatment by expanding Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services
- Enhanced prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP)
- Enacted measures to address the over prescription of opioids
- Increased public awareness on the risks of opioids
- Directed Federal agencies to support research on pain management alternatives and addiction treatment
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