Larsen informs voters of his work on affordability and opioids

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN |||

This fall, Congressman Larsen’s campaign recorded two radio ads and the Washington State Democratic Party produced four mail pieces on Congressman Larsen’s behalf. These ads and mailers seek to communicate with voters in the 2nd District about Larsen’s work to lower costs and to combat the opioid epidemic.

Right now, too many hard-working people are struggling to make ends meet. To lower the cost of living, Congressman Larsen is fighting for universal, affordable healthcare coverage. Congressman Larsen helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which is lowering healthcare costs, breaking down barriers to equitable treatment, and improving overall quality of life for Northwest Washington. The IRA: 

• authorized HHS to directly negotiate the price of prescription drugs with participating drug companies for the first time;
• capped the price of insulin at $35/month for Medicare enrollees, saving approximately 3,400 beneficiaries in Northwest Washington an average of $570 each year on their insulin; 
• capped out-of-pocket pharmacy costs at $2000/year for Medicare enrollees, saving approximately 344,000 Washingtonians an average of $410 every year when the law goes into effect in 2025; and
• reduced premiums for 9 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, saving approximately 29,000 people in Northwest Washington an average of $1,110 on their health insurance.

This new tool from the House Committee on the Budget helps summarize the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act on Washington’s 2nd District: https://democrats-budget.house.gov/invest. 

Fentanyl is a growing threat in the 2nd District, and Congressman Larsen has worked hard to combat the opioid epidemic. In January, he released a report that analyzes the ongoing crisis and proposes a comprehensive framework focusing on four pillars – prevention, interdiction, treatment, and recovery – critical to a solution: The Opioid Crisis in Washington’s Second Congressional District and a Comprehensive Solution. Congressman Larsen also authored an op-ed for Cascadia Daily News about the report to share its findings and put this issue front and center for elected leaders in our community.

This summer, Congressman Larsen has proposed four pieces of legislation to support our friends and neighbors in recovery and support local law enforcement in holding accountable those bringing these dangerous drugs into our communities:

• Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act: this bipartisan legislation gives Tribal courts and law enforcement more tools and resources to combat the opioid epidemic. Specifically, the PROTECT Act:
  • provides parity for Tribal courts to issue search warrants for certain electronic communications, including social media, by adding Tribal courts to the list of courts with “competent jurisdiction” under the Stored Communications Act; 
  • expands Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) to crimes associated with drug trafficking; and 
  • amends the Bureau of Prison’s (BOP) Tribal Prisoner Program (TPP) by expanding eligibility to offenders who commit drug-trafficking-related offenses.
• The Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act: this legislation would codify, strengthen, and expand pilot grant funding for community partnerships that promote employment for those recovering from substance use, help workers transition to occupations that support those affected by substance use, and provide supportive services to program participants, such as substance use treatment, peer support services, and mentorship opportunities. 
• The End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act: this legislation establishes a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country. Specifically, the bill:
  • expands and formalizes an existing Department of Justice (DOJ) program administered by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office – the Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) – to fund multi-jurisdictional task forces to target opioid trafficking;
  • helps law enforcement expand partnerships across federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies to address opioid trafficking;
  • allows funds to be used to create new, or expand existing, muti-jurisdictional drug task forces; hire and train law enforcement offices and other support employees; procure equipment, technology, and support systems; and pay overtime;
  • requires 40% of funding to be made directly available to Indian Tribes (20%) and MJTFs (20%), which will help promote local law enforcement goals and limit the administrative burdens and additional requirements associated with using pass-through entities to secure funding;
  • authorizes funding that doubles the amount historically provided to the AHTF to robustly support MTJFs and anti-trafficking efforts; and
  • permits the COPS director to provide technical assistance, including through training centers and facilities, to instruct law enforcement and MJTFs on best practices for combating opioid trafficking.
• The Closing the Substance Use Care Gap Act: this legislation would provide community-based organizations with more resources to administer life-saving harm reduction programs and services to people struggling with substance use. The bill would provide grant funding to support low-barrier health care options like naloxone (an overdose reversal medication), fentanyl test strips and low-threshold buprenorphine initiation to treat addiction. It would also provide funding to organizations to establish procedures and mechanisms for connecting individuals with evidence-based treatment and recovery support services.

Congressman Larsen also requested $10 million in the fiscal year 2025 spending bill for the Lummi Indian Business Council to construct a new fentanyl emergency and detox support services facility, which will offer culturally attuned care and aftercare, treatment, and family support for Tribal members impacted by the opioid crisis.

Congressman Larsen is proud of the progress that has been made on these important issues – but he is running for re-election because he knows there is more work to do to lower the cost of living and combat the opioid epidemic.