Health Care

Partial Government Shutdown I have heard questions from constituents regarding the operations of the Federal Government that will continue operating during the partial government shutdown. While some departments remain unfunded, some were covered by appropriations bills that have been signed into law. For example, the Department of Defense has been funded, meaning servicemen and -women… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after introducing legislation to increase availability of sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) services: “Incidents of sexual assault are horrific, but coping with their aftermath can also be painful for victims. My bill would help medical facilities covered under the federal 340B program improve their services for… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement regarding the upcoming placement of a permanent medication drop box in the lobby of the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office: “Unused medication can be dangerous and is a driver of the opioid crisis. Prescriptions that are filled but not completely used may remain in medicine cabinets, where they can be accessed for… Read more »

Legislation often begins with a concern or a question from a constituent. He or she draws on experiences or ideas to identify matters that need fixing: something the Federal Government does, something it could do better, or something it does not do that should be considered. The following story, which inspired a bill I have introduced, is a sad one. I attended the Washington County… Read more »

On October 24, President Trump signed into law a landmark bipartisan bill to fight the opioid crisis. Called the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, this legislation takes a comprehensive approach to the opioid crisis. It helps with treating addiction, reduces the availability of illegal substances, and advances the development of non-addictive painkillers. I was proud to make… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after President Trump today signed into law H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act: “For all who are fighting the opioid crisis, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act delivers help. It includes tools to treat addiction, reduce the availability of illegal substances, develop non-addictive painkillers,… Read more »

Prescription Drug Costs Previously, I reported in this column that two bills meant to combat high drug prices had passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate. I am happy to say that President Trump has since signed them into law. The Know the Lowest Price Act of 2018 and the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act ban “gag clauses,” which are sometimes imposed… Read more »

Health Tidbits Before the start of the 2019 fiscal year on October 1, the House of Representatives passed several appropriations bills combined with a Continuing Resolution to fund the Federal Government. They have since been signed into law by President Trump. I voted for the Continuing Resolution. The Continuing Resolution was combined with appropriation bills for the Departments of… Read more »

As you know, I serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The following are some of the issues we are working on. Progress on Prescription Drug Prices High prescription drug prices are a burden on many Ninth District residents. There are a variety of reasons why prices have soared, but one necessary factor in order to bring them down is transparency. Thanks to legislation that… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after voting to support an amended version of H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which will soon go to President Trump’s desk: “The opioid crisis is the most urgent health crisis of our time, as many residents of the Ninth District know from painful personal experience. Acting to alleviate it has… Read more »