Hearing of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the House Education and the Workforce Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Gregorio Sablan, Hearing on Opioid Epidemic and Implications for America's Workplaces

Hearing

Thank you, Chairman Walberg.

The opioid crisis has ravaged communities across the United States.

It is no surprise that the impacts of the crisis are being felt in the workplace -- by both workers and
businesses. From workplace accidents and injuries, employee absenteeism, low morale, and
increased illness and lost productivity, our workplaces are experiencing the challenges of this
epidemic. U.S. companies lose billions of dollars a year because of employees' drug and alcohol
use and related problems. But it is the human toll that is the most devastating consequence of this
epidemic.

We know that those with substance use disorders come from all walks of life. From our factories
to our board rooms, the health needs of our workforce should be a top priority. Sadly, these needs
have gone unmet and behavioral health care has been out of reach for many, particularly lower
wage workers, racial and ethnic minorities and other marginalized populations.

The Affordable Care Act improved and expanded treatment for people with substance use
disorders through Medicaid and private insurance. The law mandated substance use disorders
treatment as part of "essential health benefits", and broadened parity requirements to ensure that
behavioral health is covered at the same levels as other medical coverage. Further, insurers can
no longer deny coverage to people with substance use disorders or mental health conditions.

Maintaining these important gains is paramount in the response to this crisis. Attempts to roll back
these advances by weakening consumer protections or cutting Medicaid, will only take us
backwards. Additional funding at the federal level to combat the crisis will be squandered if we
do not provide access to health coverage and a safe place to live and work. The President's new
budget proposal is another missed opportunity to have a meaningful conversation about improving
health in this country. Proposing to eliminate coverage and protections for millions of Americans
is counterproductive, particularly during a crisis of this magnitude.

Addressing the opioid epidemic requires a robust and coordinated approach. Efforts to prevent
workplace injuries and illnesses are a critical step toward avoiding the prescription of opioids that
initiates abuse. We should examine all the impacts that substance use disorder has on families
and all the tools we have to help, including expanding prevention efforts, focusing on the entire
family, increasing access to treatment, and facilitating recovery. We need to support those in
recovery and provide them with economic opportunity to reintegrate into the community.
Addressing addiction through treatment, instead of punishment and incarceration, should be
applied across the board to all communities.

It's encouraging that the Committee is taking time to discuss this issue and I am hopeful that we
can address it through increased funding for effective, evidence-based programs that help workers
access health coverage and treatment. A healthy workforce is key to a healthy economy.

I thank the witnesses for taking the time to testify today and look forward to hearing from them.

Thank you. I yield back my time to the chair.

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