Press Releases

Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12) welcomed House passage of their bill, H.R. 7681, the Preventing Overdoses and Saving Lives Act 2.0, as part of a broader bipartisan mental health package, H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022.

Ahead of House passage, Rep. Hill spoke on the House Floor in support of the bill.

Topline Quotes:

·         “My bill seeks to prevent opioid overdoses through co-prescription. This effort was inspired by my home state of Arkansas…”

·         “Co-prescribing is when a doctor prescribes an opioid overdose reversal drug, like naloxone, along with t opioid prescription.”

·         “The data is clear. Co-prescribing saves lives.”

“Today, the House took an important step in bringing an end to the opioid crisis that has ravaged far too many families in our country,” said Congresswoman Dingell (MI-12). “I’ve lived all sides of this epidemic and I know the horrible pain, desperation, and frustration of living with a family member with addiction and the sadness of losing someone you love. Our bipartisan Preventing Overdoses and Saving Lives Act 2.0 will create a grant program for states and localities to implement co-prescribing and other solutions that would ultimately prevent overdoses. I’m grateful to Representative Hill for his partnership on this life-saving measure, and I urge the Senate to act without delay.”

“I am so proud that we are working collaboratively with the mission that life come first. So much of the epidemic is fueled by profit at the demise of Americans and their families. In this effort we realize that life comes first, and if alive, recovery is possible,” said Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane.

“Congressman French Hill’s compassion for Arkansans and all Americans affected by opioid overdose or fentanyl poisoning is once again demonstrated by his successful sponsorship of the ‘Preventing Overdoses and Saving Lives Act’ and today we thank him for making sure that these promising strategies and resources will be available to prevent overdoses and save lives. Representative Hill announced his intention to help stop the rising opioid overdose and fentanyl poisoning death toll through sponsoring this legislation earlier this year. Today, he not only delivered that help, but he also provides hope and another chance at life for those who are struggling to find their way. We are grateful,” added Teresa Belew, Director of Corporate Affairs, Speakup About Drugs.

“So many substance use challenges begin after routine doctor visits, procedures, and surgeries. We are grateful for Representative Hill's leadership making sure that families are equipped with the information and Naloxone they need to prevent or reverse opioid overdoses. These resources are sorely needed in all of our communities to address potential substance use challenges at the time of prescription. The Wolfe Street Foundation is ready to work together with healthcare and treatment partners to help people survive and recover from addiction, and we are thrilled to have Representative Hill as a champion for the cause on Capitol Hill,” said Justin Buck, Executive Director, Wolfe Street Foundation.

“As a mom who lost her 20-year-old son to an opioid related overdose, I recognize the importance of increasing access to opioid overdose reversal drugs. This bill is extremely important and will allow the states to make great strides in saving lives from overdose in our country. Nothing we do can bring back my son, but this bill can help prevent someone else from suffering the loss that I have to endure daily,” said Paula Cunningham, Founder and Executive Director, Parker Gill Foundation.

"Congressman French Hill's bill encouraging the practice of co-prescribing opioid reversal drugs and increasing access to overdose reversal drugs will go a long way to saving lives," said Arkansas State Senator Cecile Bledsoe, one of the lead sponsors of Arkansas's co-prescribing law.

Further Background:

The Preventing Overdoses and Saving Lives Act 2.0 re-authorizes two Public Health Service Act grant programs to combat the opioid crisis and encourages co-prescribing of opioid overdose reversal drugs and increases access to opioid reversal drugs.

Last week, Rep. Hill and Rep. Dingell published an op-ed in The Hill detailing the impact the opioid crisis is having on the American people and their solutions to combat the crisis to prevent overdoses and save lives.

On May 18, 2022, Rep. Hill and Rep. Dingell applauded House Committee on Energy and Commerce advancing the bill out of committee.