Aug. 31, 2022
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair) has been appointed to the Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust, a trust established as part of settlements with three pharmaceutical distributors and Johnson & Johnson.
Pennsylvania is expected to receive up to $1.07 billion under the settlements with Cardinal, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Johnson & Johnson related to the companies’ role in the opioid crisis. The trust is being stood up to oversee disbursement of payments.
Speaker Bryan Cutler named Gregory as the House appointee to the trust, which has 13 trustees, including two appointees from Gov. Tom Wolf.
“I’m honored to play a role in distribution of these settlement dollars. The pharmaceutical industry has ruined families and claimed lives,” Gregory said. “Allocating this funding to treatment is the best way we can help Pennsylvanians with the settlement money.”
In January, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced all 67 counties signed onto the national settlement. The money will be distributed to counties based on data, including opioid use disorder hospitalizations; entities that participated in litigation; and the state as a whole for appropriation by the Legislature. Eligible uses include expanding the use of overdose-reversal medications, treatment for incarcerated individuals, data collection and research, training, and drug courts and diversion programs.
“Expanded access to treatment works. This has been borne out by both research and stories I hear from friends, family and providers in the addiction community,” Gregory said.
The trustees are tasked with confirming funds are distributed fairly and consistently, providing feedback to local governments on approved uses, and ensuring funds are used transparently and effectively.
Representative Jim Gregory
80th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6335
jfitch@pahousegop.com
RepJimGregory.com /
Facebook.com/RepJimGregory