2020 Democratic candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released a new campaign proposal Wednesday that would allot $100 billion over the next decade to fight the opioid crisis.
Why it matters: Warren's cash-heavy idea, which would be funded by her proposed wealth tax on America's top earning individuals and companies, aligns with what experts told Congress last year — no amount of money used to combat the opioid crisis is too much.
The big picture: In outlining her policy, Warren continues her long-held theme of fighting big business — this time aimed at pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma and members of Congress that have been "driven by greed."
- She writes, "The opioid epidemic teaches us that too often in America today, if you have money and power, you can take advantage of everyone else without consequence. I think it’s time to change that."
Details: The proposal, which Warren calls the CARE Act, is mirrored after the Ryan White CARE Act that fought the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1990s. Money will go toward first responders, public health departments and states for prevention and rehabilitation services. Warren's legislation, also co-authored by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), was introduced in the last session of Congress. During each year of the 10-year proposal:
- $4 billion would go to states, territories and tribal governments.
- $2.7 billion would be distributed to the hardest-hit counties and cities, including $1.4 billion to counties and cities with the highest levels of overdoses.
- $1.7 billion would go toward public health surveillance, research and improved training for health professionals.
- $1.1 billion would be earmarked for public and nonprofit entities.
- $500 million would be used to expand access to naloxone.
The intrigue: An aide on Tuesday, per Politico, said Warren will donate the $4,500 she received for her 2012 and 2018 Senate reelection campaigns donated by Beverly Sackler, whose late husband Raymond managed Purdue Pharma — the manufacturer of OxyContin — alongside his brother. Warren has been vocal about the family's role in the opioid epidemic, and they presently face several lawsuits alleging their actions inflamed the crisis.
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