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Concord, N.H. - Today, President Trump visited New Hampshire where he toured a Safe Station with Governor Sununu before speaking at Manchester Community College. In his speech, he announced his support for many important policies to fight the opioid epidemic, but it remains to be seen if he will follow through. Since taking office, Trump has failed to deliver on his many promises to fight the crisis. He waited months to declare the opioid epidemic a Public Health Emergency, and then refused to allocate any additional money to the Fund, which only had $57,000. He also proposed cutting the Office of National Drug Control Policy's budget by 95%, cutting drug prevention programs by 11%, and cutting SUD and mental health programs by $400 million. Trump and Sununu have both endorsed multiple Affordable Care Act repeal efforts that would have cut Medicaid, ended the Medicaid expansion program, which keeps programs like Safe Stations operational, and eliminated protections for those with preexisting conditions. Beyond supporting every Trumpcare effort and helping draft the failed Graham-Cassidy bill, he supported turning Medicaid into block grants and even suggested on NHPR's the Exchange that states should be able to opt out of covering Substance Use Disorder treatment. NHDP Chair Ray Buckley released the following statement: "Today, New Hampshire got a first row seat to the well-established pattern of President Trump making big promises that will ultimately be left forgotten while Sununu cheered along from the sidelines. Trump's visit highlights just how little both he and Sununu have done to combat the opioid epidemic. From their attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act to their dual failure to give the crisis the resources it needs, New Hampshire is tired of watching politicians deliver meaningless rhetoric. Trump knows how to say the right things, but has failed to follow through and give sufficient resources to combat the opioid crisis. At a time when New Hampshire has the third highest overdose death rate in the country, we need real action and they're all talk. Trump and Sununu need to get serious about acting to combat the opioid epidemic or voters will make them pay at the ballot box in November."
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