Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Opioid Epidemic Becomes Key Talking Point For Vulnerable Senate Candidates In Hard-Hit States
Politico: Vulnerable GOP Senate Incumbents Talk Up Their Record Fighting Opioid Abuse
The opioid epidemic is playing a starring role in tight Senate races in Ohio, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania — communities hard-hit by addiction, where Republican incumbents are fighting to retain their seats in an anti-establishment year. With the control of the Senate at stake, the opioid battle has morphed into a large enough political issue that the Karl Rove-backed group, One Nation, weighed in by spending $1.12 million in March on an ad touting New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s role in passing bipartisan Senate legislation, known as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. She’s in a tight contest with Gov. Maggie Hassan, who has her own record on opioid legislation to run on. (Cook, 5/10)
The Hill: House Takes First Steps On Opioids Bill
The House on Tuesday easily cleared three bills aimed at reducing opioid addiction, the first of more than a dozen bipartisan bills up for consideration this week. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly, 410-1, to approve legislation by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) which calls for a broad, five-year study into federal grants dedicated to preventing opioid abuse. Two other bills passed by voice vote earlier Tuesday. (Ferris, 5/10)
The Associated Press: Cuomo Names Task Force To Address Ongoing Heroin Problem
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has appointed a task force aimed at ending what he called a crisis of heroin and opioid addiction continuing to plague families and communities in New York. The group is chaired by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, commissioner of the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. The other 21 members include representatives of health care, drug treatment, advocacy, law enforcement and education. (5/10)
