DeLauro Statement on New CDC Guidelines on Opioids

March 15, 2016
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC (March 15, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding new recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain.

“The CDC’s new recommendations are a critical step forward in our fight against the opioid epidemic affecting communities across the country. Fighting this epidemic begins with educating providers and clinicians on striking a balance between pain management and patient safety. We must work to find alternatives to opioid prescriptions and only use them when appropriate,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. “At a time when we are losing more than 28,000 Americans to drug addiction each year, with more than half dying from opioid addiction, we must do more to fight this epidemic. Congress should fully fund the CDC’s request for FY 2017 to support these new guidelines and help save lives.”

The CDC announced the 12 recommendations today, including 3 that are key to improving patient care:

  • Non-opioid therapy is preferred for chronic pain outside of active cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care.
  • When opioids are used, the lowest possible effective dosage should be prescribed.
  • Providers should always exercise caution when prescribing opioids and monitor all patients closely.

In addition to the recommendations, CDC also announced today that it will expand the Prescription Drug Overdose: Prevention for States program to an additional 13 states, including Connecticut, which will receive $1.3 million. Last year, DeLauro fought for a $50 million increase in funding for the program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. The total number of states now participating in the program is 29.

As the Senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the Department of Health and Human Services, DeLauro continues to fight for additional funding for critical health initiatives, including combatting opioid abuse and overdoses.

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