Murphy, Courtney Reintroduce Bipartisan HOPE Act to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) and Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) reintroduced the bipartisan Veteran Heroin Overdose Prevention (HOPE) Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a review of veteran deaths from opioid overdoses in the past five years and examine other related factors and details that are key to understanding lethal overdoses from non-prescribed sources. "Veterans sacrifice so much to protect this nation and our freedom. They deserve to be fought for by Congress in return," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "North Carolina’s Third District is home to over 76,000 veterans and some of our nation's finest warfighters, including those serving at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River. As a practicing physician and member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, I am passionate about finding solutions to address the veteran's opioid epidemic, as many of my constituents have been impacted by this tragic crisis. "The HOPE Act aims to conduct a comprehensive examination of veterans who have been affected by opioids and non-prescribed substance addictions. This research would provide an understanding of the underlying causes and develop effective strategies to mitigate those risk factors. Hope is crucial for our veterans and their families when they’ve given their lives to service. This bill allows us to take the necessary measures to ensure we can provide them with that hope." "The opioid epidemic has plagued communities across eastern Connecticut and our nation for years," said Congressman Joe Courtney. "Tragically, the veteran community has disproportionately suffered from opioid addiction and overdose. The crisis ballooned over the last decade. We know that drug overdose mortality rates among veterans increased by 53% from 2010 to 2019. The Veteran HOPE Act dedicates resources to investigating overdose deaths among veterans, uses VA records to better identify risk factors to help prevent lethal overdoses, and crucially, makes more up-to-date data publicly available. This bill will improve overdose prevention efforts in veteran communities like eastern Connecticut’s, the largest in the state. I’m glad to partner with Rep. Murphy to move it forward." Supporting Groups: "The FRA supports this common-sense legislation because the Association has long been concerned about the disproportionate rate of opioid overdose deaths of veterans," said John Davis, Director, Legislative Programs, Fleet Reserve Association. The Wounded Warrior Project supports this legislation.