Blumenthal Welcomes New CMS Strategy to Combat Opioid Epidemic

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today welcomed a strategy announced today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to combat the opioid epidemic. The strategy includes multiple initiatives Blumenthal recommended in his report, “Opioid Addiction: A Call to Action,” which was based on Connecticut residents’ comments at nine opioid roundtables held across the state.

“Opioid addiction is devastating communities across the country, and I am pleased CMS has made combatting this deadly epidemic a top priority. The multi-pronged strategy the agency announced today will provide critical resources to doctors and families, and includes multiple recommendations I made in my comprehensive opioid report. I will fight to ensure we keep up this life-saving momentum in the next Administration.”

The CMS effort included the following recommendations Blumenthal made in his report: improving prescribing practices, expanding naloxone distribution, increasing access to substance abuse programs, and increasing use of alternative pain management.

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