Miller-Meeks DUMP Opioids Act Unanimously Passes the House, Heads to POTUS

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, July 27th, 2021, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02) Dispose Unused Medications and Prescription (DUMP) Opioids Act passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 424-0. This bipartisan legislation would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that certain medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have physical locations for the disposal of controlled substances medications.

“I am happy to see the DUMP Opioids Act pass the House today. This commonsense legislation will expand access to opioid disposal sites at VA facilities to all Americans,” said Miller-Meeks. “This is a simple change to existing law that will do a lot of good and help combat the ongoing opioid crisis. I appreciate the partnership of Sen. John Kennedy and Rep. David Trone in getting this legislation passed in both chambers and I look forward to seeing President Biden sign it into law.”

To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.

Background:

In January 2021, H.R. 7105, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, was signed into law. Under this law, which takes effect on January 1st, 2022, the VA is required to set up prescription drop boxes on VA campuses so that patients can safely dispose of unused and excess controlled substances medications.

The DUMP Opioids Act would expand this law so that anyone, not just patients, can dispose of controlled substances medications at VA centers. Under this bill, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would be required to designate periods during which any individual may dispose of controlled substance medications at a covered VA facility.

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