ATLANTA (June 26, 2017) | Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) is urging U.S. Senate members Sen. Johnny Isakson (R – GA) and Sen. David Perdue (R – GA) to be cognizant of the far-reaching effects of the opioid crisis and how cuts to Medicaid could exacerbate the financial stress that opioid overdoses are putting on the emergency medical system. These cuts would affect county and private EMS, emergency rooms and treatment programs.
“Opioid abuse and confronting the epidemic is an issue that crosses state lines, cultures, ages and social classes,” said. Sen Unterman. “We must work together with our colleagues on the federal level to ensure this health care crisis is addressed and necessary funding is not eliminated. Our goal is to mobilize state leaders in raising awareness, improving our existing therapeutic infrastructure, changing Georgia state law and appropriating matching state and federal dollars to lead the way in fighting the opioid epidemic.”
Sen. Unterman sent an urging action letter to both U.S. Senate offices in anticipation of the Senate voting on their version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) this week. The letter is intended to update the offices on the efforts to mobilize the Northern Arc counties of Gwinnett, Cobb, Hall, Forsyth and Cherokee to combat the devastating effects of legal and illegal opioids on our citizens.
In an effort to bring additional awareness to the opioid epidemic, Sen. Unterman along with Gwinnett County Superior Court Kathryn Schrader will be hosting a press conference on Friday, June 30th at 11:00 a.m.
For additional information on the press conference, please follow the link below:
https://senatepress.net/sen-renee-unterman-to-host-opioid-epidemic-press-conference.html
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For Immediate Release:
June 26, 2017
Ines Owens, Acting Director
ines.owens@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028