Markey, Yang, Baldwin announce bipartisan legislation to combat opioid-related infectious diseases

Bill text (PDF)

WASHINGTON (September 26, 2023) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, Member of the U.S. Committee Combating synthetic opioid trafficking with Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) announcing today’s reintroduction Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Diseases Act, bipartisan legislation would reauthorize ongoing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiatives to eliminate infectious disease risks from substance use disorders through 2028. In 2018, Senators Markey, Young, and Baldwin secured passage of this legislation to expand CDC initiatives to work with states to improve infectious diseases related to opioid use, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and C… hepatitis) education, surveillance and treatment.

The link between HIV, hepatitis C and injection drug use is well documented. Previously, the CDC reported an increase in hepatitis C infections over the past decade, mostly due to injection drug use. High transmission rates, especially among young people, highlight the ongoing need for these targeted programs to stop the spread of preventable diseases.

“The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis, and infectious diseases exacerbate the health challenges faced by Americans with substance use disorders,” Senator Markey said. “Our federal government has a responsibility to empower providers on the front lines so they can treat the full range of impacts of this pandemic, including the spread of infectious diseases. This Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Diseases Act Give Americans access to life-saving treatments through common-sense plans based on science. “We need to lead with compassionate care to end this opioid and overdose crisis once and for all.”

“The fentanyl and opioid epidemic has profound and deadly public health impacts, including the spread of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV,” Senator Baldwin said. “While I work to stop these drugs from entering our communities and strengthen treatment and recovery efforts, Washington also needs to step up to help states curb the spread of illnesses related to this crisis. “Our bipartisan bill will provide communities with the needed Tools to help save lives and address all aspects of this public health crisis. ”

“As the opioid epidemic continues to devastate families in Indiana and across the country, we must ensure our communities have the necessary tools to help combat addiction and the spread of the disease,” Senator Young said.

“This common-sense legislation will support ongoing initiatives to eliminate the spread of deadly diseases associated with this pandemic.”

You can find a copy of the legislation here.

this Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Diseases Act Accredited by the AIDS Research Institute, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) Infectious Diseases Society of America, Society for HIV Medicine, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.

“The ongoing opioid crisis is exacerbating the growing epidemics of HIV and viral hepatitis and requires a strategic federal response. The AIDS Institute (TAI) is pleased to support and endorse Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Diseases Act of 2023“We are grateful for this and hope Congress will pass this bill soon to ensure uninterrupted coordination, prevention and care,” explain Michael Rupal, executive director of the AIDS Research Institute.

In July, Senator Markey welcomed the inclusion of his bipartisan, bicameral department. Defense Excess Data (DOD) Act as National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Documents overdoses in the military and protects military members and military families living with substance use disorders.In May, he and his colleagues relaunched Stop fentanyl overdose The bill would expand fentanyl testing, provide federal funding and encourage public health officials to educate to combat the opioid epidemic.In March, he and his colleagues introduced their bipartisan, bicameral Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act

legislation that would improve access to methadone, a substance use disorder drug treatment, by modernizing outdated rules.

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