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Alabama is a state founded on faith, family values, and personal responsibility. We believe in doing what is right, even when the path is difficult. In my time serving as a State Representative, I have seen how these shared principles guide our communities. We work tirelessly to support our families, extend helping hands in times of need, and stand united when facing adversity.
Unfortunately, the opioid crisis threatens the very fabric of our communities. Since the 1990s, opioid addiction has found its way into our neighborhoods. What often begins as a legitimate prescription for managing severe pain transforms into a long, desperate battle with addiction for too many of our citizens. While our state has made progress addressing this crisis, potent drugs like fentanyl, which claimed 835 lives in 2022, have flooded our streets and made the fight to lower overdose deaths even harder. This is the result of a system that favors opioids instead of effective alternatives.
We cannot afford to ignore this crisis. Every life lost to overdose is a tragedy we cannot accept. As a man of deep faith, we have an obligation to protect the vulnerable and care for the sick. We are called to help those in need, to offer hope, and to seek out solutions that will lead to healing, which is why I am asking the State Senate to take up and pass SB161. This bill will help us curb the opioid epidemic in our state by making sure Alabamians have access to FDA-approved non-opioid and non-narcotic pain treatments.
Right now, too many people are prescribed opioids simply because they are the most affordable way to manage pain. Under this bill, our state’s Medicaid system would be required to give non-opioid treatments the same coverage they give opioid treatments, finally giving doctors and patients the freedom to choose the best, safest treatment plan. In practice, this would mean that Medicaid beneficiaries would not have to spend more out-of-pocket on opioid alternatives or face unnecessary red tape when trying to fill a prescription for a non-opioid.
As a lawmaker, I recognize that we would all benefit from our state preventing addiction before it takes hold, not just treating it. The opioid epidemic is a costly crisis that has stretched our law enforcement and healthcare resources thin. By ensuring access to non-opioid pain management options, we are not just addressing a healthcare crisis, we are taking a step to reduce the toll of this crisis on our law enforcement officers, first responders, and healthcare workers.
Alabama has always been a state that looks out for its own and does right by its people. Now is the time to put those beliefs into action. SB161 is a commonsense bill that aligns with our values. It represents a proactive approach to the opioid crisis and gives hope to our most vulnerable. I urge my colleagues in the legislature to pass SB161 and ensure that more Alabamians have access to safe, effective pain management options.
With your support and through God’s grace, I believe we can overcome this challenge and create a healthier, stronger Alabama for generations to come.
