Rep. DeLauro Calls for Public Health Emergency Funding to Address Opioid Epidemic

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., issued the following statement in response to President Trump's declaration that the opioid crisis is a national emergency:

"While it is great that President Trump has finally come around to recognizing the opioid epidemic for what it is--a national emergency--we need much more than talk to solve the problem."

"We have a moral duty to address this crisis and save as many lives as possible. Now is the time for action."

"Across the country, families are facing the heartbreaking reality that 91 Americans are dying each day from opioids overdoses.

"The opioid epidemic is a true public health crisis and the federal government has a responsibility to communities struggling with this epidemic. To that end, Congress must immediately pass the Public Health Emergency Fund Act to put $5 billion into the existing Public Health Emergency Fund."

"The Public Health Emergency Fund is modeled on the Disaster Relief Fund, which enables a rapid federal response following a natural disaster.

"If we can act quickly to respond to floods and natural disasters, we should be able to act quickly to respond to public health emergencies."