WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema today spoke at a Senate Banking Committee hearing about China’s fentanyl production and how it fuels Arizona’s opioid crisis.
“No Arizonan should be forced to fight addiction alone. As we work to protect and improve health care for all Arizonans, we must also combat drug trafficking, particularly the trafficking of fentanyl,” said Sinema.
According to a Kaiser Foundation study in 2017, 267 Arizonans died from overdosing on synthetic opioids like fentanyl. In Sinema’s remarks, she highlighted her support of AHCCCS’ addiction treatment coverage, and called for quality, affordable health care for all Arizonans so they can receive the treatment they need. Sinema voted against the America Health Care Act of 2017, which would have stripped addiction treatment programs from Arizonans on Medicaid. Additionally, Sinema highlighted the millions of dollars of fentanyl that come through Arizona’s ports of entry. Sinema questioned the hearing’s witnesses about how Congress can hold China accountable and stop the flow of fentanyl through Arizona’s southern border.
Last year, Sinema helped champion legislation that passed the U.S. House that helps law enforcement target opioid traffickers and producers. Sinema also supported the PASS Act, which passed the U.S. House in 2018 and cracks down on opioid over prescription.
