The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Protest blasts Costello over drug bill support
WEST CHESTER » More than two dozen protesters rallied outside U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello’s office at the historic courthouse Friday to protest a prescription drug bill the congressman co-sponsored that has come under withering criticism for hampering the war against opioid abuse.
With signs held high and vocal opinions, demonstrators have met outside the office every week since the January inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Costello, R-6, of West Goshen, countered that the measure won
unanimous, bipartisan support in both the Senate and House and was signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Demonstrators held a press conference to oppose Costello’s sponsorship of H.R. 471, the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2015.
The bill, which sailed through the Senate and House with bipartisan support and was signed into law by then-President Barack Obama, now is being criticized for actually handcuffing the Drug Enforcement Agency’s ability to control the flow of prescription opioids and prescription narcotics.
Demonstrators say the congressman, according to Open Space, has received more than $300,000 in campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical industry.
Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, of Lycoming County withdrew his name from consideration as the nation’s drug czar after the Washington Post and “60 Minutes” recently highlighted his role as the main sponsor and author of the legislation.
Lisa Longo, of Phoenixville, the treasurer of the Chester County Democratic Committee, is a regular demonstrator at Costello’s office.
She referred to the published reports as “bombshells” and said that prescription opioids are “dangerous, damaging and deadly.”
“The industry works behind the scenes,” Longo said. “We’re here to make Ryan Costello accountable.”
As part of a press release issued by Costello’s Washington office staff, the rep countered that every U.S. legislator voted to pass the bill.
“The bipartisan legislation passed both the House and Senate unanimously, and was signed into law by the Obama Administration without any stated objection from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),” Costello said. “The legislation’s clear and stated intent was to have the DEA and distribution companies establish a clear understanding of enforcement standards, allowing for greater collaboration among stakeholders to address modern challenges to prescription drug abuse while still allowing patients with medical needs to have reasonable access.”
Ruth Ann Davidson talked about her son, who was an addict.
“Doctors are encouraged to overprescribe,” she said. “It makes it easier for the drug companies to kill.”
“Becoming outraged is normal in my life … we have a responsibility to call out those in politics in the profit of Big Pharma,”said Michel Doyle, a recovering addict and alcoholic, as well as a Bucks County business owner. “The people I know in recovery are dying on a daily basis.”
Christina VandePol, a physician who is running for Chester County coroner, noted that during 2015 and 2016, 764 deaths were associated to overdoses and 250 Chester County residents would have likely died this year if first responders had not used the overdose-reversing drug Narcan.
“Costello is working against his constituents,” she said.
The congressman is taking a second look at the bill.
“If the purpose of the law is now not being realized, then we need to fix it,” reads the release. “I am in the process of investigating and evaluating this as we speak. I believe many others are as well, especially given it was unanimously supported by the entire Congress and signed into law by President Obama.”
Andrea Bozek, Costello spokeswoman, also emailed a statement.
“It’s sickening that Democrats are trying to politicize this crisis that has hurt so many Pennsylvania families,” she wrote. “While Rep. Costello is working to combat the opioid epidemic, Democrats are paying political protesters and fundraising off a national crisis. Pennsylvania families deserve better.”
Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, who is running for the Democratic nomination to run against Costello in the November 2018 election, released the following statement on Friday: “It is a complete disgrace that it took an investigation and uncovering of special interest money for Rep. Ryan Costello to now look back and evaluate whether the bill he cosponsored that stripped the Drug Enforcement Agency of its ability to effectively fight back against the opioid and opiate epidemic is working. Costello was one of only six House co-sponsors of that bill that Big Pharma paid millions for — including over $300,000 to Costello’s campaign. It’s clear Costello is bought and paid for by the drug industry. This legislation helped fuel the opioid and opiate epidemic and Costello owes an explanation and apology to his district for siding with special interests over the constituents of Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District.”
Rick Bunker is cofounder and CEO of Prescription Advisory Systems and Technology. He told the demonstrators that he is working to prevent legal drugs from entering the black market.
Lani Frank, vice chairman of the Democratic Party of Chester County, discussed why demonstrators keep showing up at Costello’s office.
“The reason they are elected to a term of two years is because they are supposed to be the closest (federal) representative to their constituents and the most in touch with the will of their district.”
“He’s a Republican but that doesn’t mean he only represents Republicans, he represents all of us here,” said Beth Sweet, an organizer and regular Friday morning visitor to Costello’s office. “That’s why we’re here and we’re not going to let him forget that.”
Alice Hall said she is a “very frustrated constituent who hopes that in spite of the reality that being here will make some small impression on the Republican majority in Congress.”
Costello’s office also released the following statement: “Since taking office in 2015, Rep. Costello has been working to combat the opioid epidemic through legislation, by ensuring first responders and others facing the epidemic on the front lines have adequate resources, with feedback from the constituents about the local impact of the epidemic, through making site visits in the community, and by supporting the 21st Century Cures Act, which provided $1 provided $1 Billion in funding for states to fight the opioid epidemic.”