Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) have called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fully implement Jessie’s Law, a vital legislation aimed at improving medical care for individuals with a history of substance use disorder.

Jessie’s Law, named after Jessica Grubb, a victim of substance use disorder, requires physicians and medical professionals to have access to a patient’s history of substance use disorder when determining appropriate medical treatment. The senators emphasized the importance of this legislation in preventing tragic and avoidable deaths like Jessica Grubb's.

The bipartisan legislation was included in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2018. However, despite some progress, HHS has yet to release guidance on incorporating a patient’s substance use disorder history into their electronic health record, prompting Senators Capito and Manchin to urge Secretary Xavier Becerra to take action.

In a letter to Secretary Becerra, the senators highlighted the significance of fully implementing Jessie’s Law in the face of the worsening substance use crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasized the need to reduce barriers to treatment, improve care coordination, and protect patient privacy to effectively address the drug epidemic.

The tragic loss of Jessica Grubb inspired the introduction of Jessie’s Law, with the aim of preventing similar incidents and ensuring that medical professionals are equipped with crucial information to provide appropriate care to individuals with a history of opioid use disorder.

Senators Capito and Manchin expressed their commitment to securing Jessie’s legacy by fully implementing the law and preventing future tragedies. They eagerly await Secretary Becerra's plans for the complete implementation of Jessie’s Law to safeguard the well-being of individuals battling substance use disorder.