WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) issued the following statement after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new efforts for offering assistance to states on how to best use the tools and existing federal funding to combat the opioid crisis.
“Medicaid is an important program that has borne the brunt of this crisis, and it is imperative state Medicaid directors know what tools are available for their use. Many of CMS’ recommended tools are issues Energy and Commerce has been working on - improving the use of prescription drug monitoring programs, telemedicine, and electronic health records. Combating this crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, and we look forward to continuing to work with the administration on their efforts to better utilize both the Medicare and Medicaid programs in the fight to combat this epidemic. Additionally, we are particularly encouraged by CMS’ efforts to help states cover the cost of care for babies suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). These vulnerable patients need the utmost care and its important our state programs are best utilizing these valuable resources."
