Rep. Annie Kuster Updates NEC Healthcare Committee on Work to Combat COVID-19, Opioid Epidemic

On July 20, 2020, the NEC Healthcare Committee hosted a virtual meeting, featuring remarks from U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH). Rep. Kuster is a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee‘s Health Subcommittee, and serves as the Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force.

Rep. Kuster began her presentation with an update on the task force’s 2020 legislative agenda, which was released earlier this year. She noted that the agenda includes 27 individual bills aimed at addressing staffing shortages, substance abuse prevention, rehabilitation, law enforcement reform, and family care. In particular, she highlighted two specific pieces of legislation that she described as “game changers:” the Create Opportunities Act, and the Humane Correctional Healthcare Act.

The Congresswoman also updated members on efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, she discussed the important role that telemedicine services have played, and expressed her hope that there would be a shift to embrace this use of technology to expand access to vital healthcare services. She also highlighted legislation that she has introduced to support the development of a vaccine and ensure that there is plan in place to distribute the vaccine once one is approved.

The Council is grateful to the Congresswoman for taking the time to meet virtually with our members to update them on these important issues. For more information on this meeting or the Council’s Healthcare Committee, please contact Sean Malone.