October 23, 2020

Dear Friends,

While we work to overcome the pandemic of a century, Congress must continue to fight against another public health crisis: the opioid epidemic. October 24th marks the 2nd anniversary of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act being signed into law. The SUPPORT Act is the largest effort to tackle a single drug epidemic and has provided significant resources to prevent abuse of opioids and support recovery initiatives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on Americans’ mental health and well-being, which is why the Energy and Commerce Committee continues to advance legislation to provide additional resources for the opioid epidemic, and otherwise support the mental health of Americans.

Congressman Michael Burgess at the signing of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act on October 24, 2018.

October 24 also marks National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. I hope that you will take a moment to look through your medicine cabinet for expired or unused prescriptions, and safely dispose of them at a drop-off location near you.

National Updates:
The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved remdesivir for the treatment of adults and some children hospitalized with COVID-19.

• The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee met this week to discuss the development, authorization and/or licensure of vaccines to prevent COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) expanded eligibility for Provider Relief Funds to include applicants such as residential treatment facilities, chiropractors, and eye and vision providers that have not yet received Provider Relief Fund distributions.

• Additionally, HHS updated reporting requirements for recipients of Provider Relief Fund recipients.
• HHS and the Department of Education are on schedule to distribute 125 million cloth masks to schools in states and U.S. territories by November 2020.