INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody issued the following statement after Governor Eric Holcomb’s administration held a meeting to address the state’s opioid epidemic.

“It’s absolutely critical that lawmakers attack Indiana’s opioid epidemic head-on and I applaud Governor Holcomb’s willingness and support for streamlining the needle exchange process. However, it’s near impossible to square Holcomb’s desire to fight opioids and his support for the American Health Care Act. Former Governor Mike Pence estimated nearly a quarter of the 400,000 Hoosiers receiving care through HIP 2.0 suffer from a substance abuse disorder. For almost 100,000 Hoosiers, HIP 2.0 is their best shot at recovery and a second chance. Holcomb’s support for the AHCA puts their treatment and their future in jeopardy. Our state and the Hoosiers afflicted by this scourge need every tool available. If Holcomb is truly serious, it’s time to put politics aside and put the focus back on helping Hoosiers rebuild their lives.”

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