Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed two spending packages covering all 12 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2020.

WASHINGTON, DC – Late last night, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted all four amendments offered by Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) as part of the appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education.

The four amendments offered by Congressman Foster and adopted in the legislation would:

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on his support for H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act:

"I voted for this legislation because it provides a critical expansion of medication-assisted treatment for individuals who struggle with opioid dependency by expanding the types and number of medical providers who have the authority to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid dependency. I am also pleased that my bipartisan legislation was included in the final bill.

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) advanced legislation that would provide access to inpatient treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women as they receive treatment for opioid dependency. The bill passed unanimously by voice vote in the Energy and Commerce Committee.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement on the 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act:

"I supported this omnibus bill, which represents a clear and final rejection of President Trump's flawed budget. It includes funding for critical areas, including infrastructure, election protection, scientific research, and treatment for opioid addiction. It also gives our military servicemen and women a well-deserved raise.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement on President Trump's opioid plan.

"This public health crisis has touched every state, community, and Congressional district. Individuals who suffer from dependency need fewer empty words and more adequate funding for scientific research and treatment options. It is logically impossible to accept all 56 recommendations of the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis without an increase in funding.

WASHINGTON, DC - I was disappointed in the President's address tonight. Once again, President Trump has failed to unite the country and offer Congress tangible policy proposals that would actually grow our economy. I am ready and willing to work with my Republican colleagues to rebuild and repair our infrastructure, grow our economy, and combat the opioid epidemic. But I did not hear the President discuss how he would achieve these goals without burdening our children with future debt.