Health Care

Larsen Secures Key Wins for Northwest Washington in Fiscal Year 2024 Spending Package

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Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported House passage of a bipartisan spending package that funds the government through September 2024 and invests in Northwest Washington communities and working families. The spending package passed by a final vote of 286 to 134.

Larsen Releases Report to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Northwest Washington

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Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released a district opioid report that analyzes the ongoing opioid epidemic in Northwest Washington and offers federal policy recommendations to address many of the concerns he has heard from constituents, local leaders and stakeholders in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cascadia Daily News: Op-Ed: The opioid epidemic has devastated Northwest Washington

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How do we regain momentum? Congress and the Biden administration must do more to coordinate with local governments, Tribal communities, law enforcement, health care providers and community partners who are on the front lines of the epidemic. This begins with understanding the challenges communities are facing and working together to break down barriers to lasting solutions.

Larsen: Extreme GOP Bill Restricts Reproductive Health Care, Hurts Northwest Washington Families

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“MAGA Republicans are more concerned about restricting reproductive health care than protecting families,” said Larsen. “Instead of working toward a harmful national abortion ban, Congress must protect and expand safe reproductive health care and enable families to choose what is best for them.”

Larsen Joins Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus

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Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) recently joined the bipartisan Rural Health Caucus to improve understanding and coordinate policies that address rural health issues in Northwest Washington. The Rural Health Caucus, which relaunched on September 20, is led by Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI).

Larsen Reintroduces Bill to Boost Federal Response to Seasonal and Pandemic Flu

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Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act (“The Influenza Act”) to bolster the federal response to seasonal and pandemic influenza. Reps. Deborah Ross (NC-02), Ami Bera (CA-07), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Ritchie Torres (NY- 15) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.-At-Large) signed on as original cosponsors of the bill.

Larsen: The Inflation Reduction Act is Lowering Drug Costs for Northwest Washington Seniors

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This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first 10 prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D selected for price negotiation. In August 2022, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported the Inflation Reduction Act, which, for the first time, authorizes HHS to directly negotiate the price of prescription drugs with participating drug companies.

Larsen Statement on Defense Policy Bill Vote

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below statement after voting “no” on the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act: “I voted ‘no’ because this bill reflects an extreme GOP shift to take reproductive health care away from women who serve and want to serve in uniform,” said Larsen, who served for 22 years on the Armed Services Committee. “It is my…

Larsen: Bipartisan Budget Agreement is “Necessary Step” to Prevent Catastrophic Default, Maintain U.S. Global Economic Leadership

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below statement in support of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement (BBA): “I will be voting ‘yes’ on the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, a necessary step to prevent catastrophic default and maintain U.S. economic leadership in the world,” said Larsen, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.…

Larsen Discusses Local Priorities to Address Veteran Homelessness with VA Secretary Denis McDonough

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Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) recently joined U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, Dr. Thomas Bundt, Executive Director of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and regional stakeholders for a roundtable discussion focused on efforts to assist and house veterans experiencing homelessness in Washington state. During the roundtable, Larsen highlighted the unique challenges facing local veterans and their families, as well as the ongoing efforts by agencies and organizations to serve veterans in Northwest Washington.