Drug Epidemic
The PROP Act:
Congressman Mooney introduced H.R. 4499-Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) Act with a group of bipartisan cosponsors in February 2016.
- This bill would remove an Obamacare penalty on doctors who refuse to overprescribe prescription painkillers. In doing so, this bill empowers doctors, not the federal government, to choose what is right for patients.
- The PROP Act is supported by the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the Friends of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and the WV State Medical Society.
- Congressman Mooney has been working closely with the Senate to further this bill. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin recently introduced the bill as an Amendment to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, S. 524.
HIDTA:
Congressman Mooney tirelessly advocated for Jefferson County, WV, to be included as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). He led the WV House of Representatives Delegation in sending two letters to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) asking for this designation and met with numerous state stakeholders throughout the district.
- Due in large part to Congressman Mooney’s efforts, Jefferson County was designated as a HIDTA county this year.
- The HIDTA designation will bring critical financial resources to Jefferson County and the entire Panhandle to combat the drug abuse epidemic. These resources will help federal, state, and local law enforcement officials better fight this epidemic.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome:
- Congressman Mooney cosponsored The Protecting Our Infants Act, a bill that helps babies suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome, a painful condition from being exposed to drugs in utero. This bill passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by the President.
In the District:
Congressman Mooney is passionate about getting ideas for how to stop the drug abuse epidemic from people in district.
- He has held two community round tables on this issue, where he heard from law enforcement officers, doctors, community leaders, and people in recovery.
- He also accompanied two Charleston police officers on a “ride along,” where he observed how law enforcement works every day to stop drug traffickers in our state.
Other Bills:
- Congressman Mooney is a cosponsor of H.R.4599-the Reducing Unused Medications Act. This bill would allow pharmacists to partially fill a patient’s prescription, thereby reducing the amount of unused medication in the population. Often, prescription drug abusers steal unused prescriptions from family and friends. This bill, by reducing the number of pills out there, would reduce these instances of stealing.
For more information concerning work and views related to the Drug Epidemic, please contact our office.
More on Drug Epidemic
Congressman Alex Mooney Praises Committee Passage of THRIVE Act
Yesterday, the House Financial Services Committee passed H.R. 5735, the Transitional Housing for Recovery in Viable Environments (THRIVE) Act. This legislation allows a limited number of Housing Choice Vouchers to be used at transitional non-profits that have evidence-based models of recovery and life skills training. Congressman Mooney cosponsored the legislation and released the following statement:
Congressman Mooney Announces Internship Program for Recovery Point Graduates
Washington, D.C.-Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02) announced a new internship program designed to help individuals who are in long-term substance abuse recovery meet their programming requirements of obtaining job-readiness skills.
“West Virginia has been ground zero of the drug epidemic and it is important to support the crucial recovery programs that are changing the lives of so many of our people who have fallen on hard times.
Congressman Mooney Praises Sugar Grove Naval Site Announcement
Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02) announced his support for a 95-bed substance abuse treatment facility to be located at the former U.S. Sugar Grove Naval Base in Pendleton County.
“Since the decision to close Sugar Grove Naval Base, I have worked with federal agencies, state and local officials to transition this property to an entity that will be an asset to Pendleton County and will provide jobs to the region.
Congressman Mooney Praises Sugar Grove Naval Site Announcement
Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02) announced his support for a 95-bed substance abuse treatment facility to be located at the former U.S. Sugar Grove Naval Base in Pendleton County.
“Since the decision to close Sugar Grove Naval Base, I have worked with federal agencies, state and local officials to transition this property to an entity that will be an asset to Pendleton County and will provide jobs to the region.
MARTINSBURG — U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-Charles Town, says he’s all ears to hear what his constituents have to say.
To that end, Mooney listened to questions and complaints in a one-hour “telephone town hall meeting “ conducted on Tuesday. Mooney fielded questions from residents living in the 17 counties he represents on topics ranging from health care, to jobs to illegal immigration, to opioid addiction to taxes.
Mooney represents West Virginia’s 2nd District.
Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-2) Release Statement Regarding Passage of The American Health Care Act
WASHINGTON D.C. –Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney released the following statement regarding the passage of The American Health Care Act.
“Today, I was proud to vote for the American Health Care Act. I pledged to voters in the Second District that I would vote to repeal and replace Obamacare and today I fulfilled that pledge.
WASHINGTON D.C. –Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress.
“Tonight, President Trump laid out an optimistic agenda that will change America for the better. I am pleased that President Trump is keeping the promises he made to voters in November. I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump to bring back jobs to communities that have been devastated by the past eight years of former President Obama,” said Rep. Alex Mooney.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Yesterday evening, Congressman Alex X. Mooney hosted a telephone town hall meeting with XXX constituents from the Second Congressional District.
“Telephone town hall meetings allow me to hear input and answer questions from constituents in all 17 counties, from Harpers Ferry to Hurricane, spanning 343 miles across West Virginia. I appreciate hearing the passion and views from my constituents during our productive issue based discussions.
MARTINSBURG - A bill known as the Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) Act, which was introduced by U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., earlier this year, has been enacted as law in West Virginia.
The bill removes reimbursements from pain-management questions.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney announced that his bill, H.R. 4499, the Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP) Act, will be implemented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.