The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing in Baltimore about the nation’s opioid crisis, the declaration of a national emergency, and the implementation of the President’s opioid commission’s report.

As reported by The Baltimore Sun:

With little progress at stopping the epidemic, which has been tied to overprescribing of addictive painkillers, among other factors, President Donald Trump formed the Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. The panel, led by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, issued a report over the summer and a final version Nov. 1.

This was the first time the oversight committee was able to question Christie about its dozens of recommendations and next steps. Christie said the president would oversee the effort, as well as Cabinet secretaries and, on the front lines, state leaders.

The article states that Christie summarized the three major recommendations from the report as: stopping fentanyl and carfentenil; educating the medical community about the dangers of opioids; and providing more treatment.

The piece notes that while there was much consensus on the data in the report noting the scope off the nation’s opioid crisis, there were questions as to who is in charge of implementing the report’s recommendations and concerns over the lack funding.

The hearing was attended by Maryland officials including Governor Hogan and Baltimore City Mayor Pugh. Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen testified at the hearing.

Read the full article in The Baltimore Sun for more information.