Enchantment State News

ESPAÑOLA & TAOS – On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will join regional behavioral health and medical providers to discuss the need to remove barriers to buprenorphine, a lifesaving drug used to treat opioid use disorder. Additionally, Heinrich will visit with local producers and Taos County Commissioners to highlight resilient agricultural practices.  

At 10:00 a.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will discuss his efforts to make buprenorphine more accessible with regional behavioral health and medical providers. 

WHEN:        Wednesday, July 5, at 10:00 a.m. MT  

WHERE:      Presbyterian Hospital Española, 1010 Spruce St, Española, NM 87532 

RSVP:           press@heinrich.senate.gov

Background:  

In May, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich led a bipartisan group of senators in calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to take further action to remove barriers to buprenorphine, a lifesaving drug used to treat opioid use disorder. 

The push comes as prescribers and patients in New Mexico and across the country continue to report difficulty filling buprenorphine prescriptions, despite recent passage of the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which increased the number of medical professionals authorized to prescribe buprenorphine. 

At 1:30 p.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, will visit with local producers and Taos County Commissioners Darlene Vigil and Ronald Mascareñas to discuss resilient agricultural practices. 

WHEN:        Wednesday, July 5, at 1:30 p.m. MT  

WHERE:      Taos Canyon Stop RV Park, 7 Valle Escondido Rd, Taos, NM 87571 

RSVP:           press@heinrich.senate.gov

Background:  

In March, U.S. Senator Heinrich introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act, comprehensive legislation that sets a bold vision of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by the year 2040. This legislation will also make ambitious investments to help New Mexico farmers and producers improve soil health, expand conservation programs, increase research into climate agricultural practices, and support on-farm renewable energy projects.  

In June, Heinrich, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, announced unanimous passage of the Fiscal Year 24 (FY24) Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill, which includes over $10 million in investments for 18 local projects across New Mexico. This bill includes $1.7 billion for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service agency to conduct research relating to important topics such as soil health and drought resilience, pest and disease resistance, value-added products, and agricultural innovation. Additionally, the bill includes specific funding for important agriculture research in agrivoltaics, sustainable specialty crops, wind erosion, and precision rangeland management that will support the operations of local producers in New Mexico.  

In March, Heinrich announced his support for the Bipartisan Cattle Price Transparency and Discovery Act, which would restore transparency and accountability in the cattle market. By establishing regional cash minimums and equipping producers with more market information, this legislation is an important step towards leveling the playing field against big corporations and letting the market work better for producers and consumers in New Mexico alike. 

Original source can be found here.