Rep. Gabe Vasquez Urges Trump Administration to Preserve Affordable Access to Narcan

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging the administration to protect and expand access to overdose reversal medications, like Naloxone, which are critical tools in combating the fentanyl and opioid crisis. 

His letter follows meetings with first responders from across New Mexico and reports that the Department of Health and Human Services may cut funding for programs that distribute Naloxone kits and train first responders in their use. 

“Naloxone saves lives—and any move to reduce access to it puts our communities and first responders at greater risk,” said Vasquez. “Instead of cutting these programs, we should be expanding them and making sure cost is never a barrier to saving a life.”

Rep. Vasquez highlighted concerns from first responders across New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, who have witnessed the devastating impacts of fentanyl and are increasingly facing rising costs for the tools they need to respond effectively. Naloxone—commonly known by the brand name Narcan—can reverse opioid overdoses in minutes and is credited with saving thousands of lives each year.

In his letter, Vasquez called on the Trump administration to:

• Reverse course on any proposed funding cuts for Naloxone distribution and training programs;
• Expand access to overdose reversal medications across the country;
• Investigate and curb pharmaceutical price gouging of these lifesaving drugs; and 
• Keep Naloxone affordable for first responders.
   

The Congressman also pointed to a recent DEA-led operation in Albuquerque that resulted in the seizure of more than 400 kilograms of fentanyl pills. While praising law enforcement efforts, he emphasized that enforcement must be paired with strong public health investments.

In the letter, Rep. Vasquez reiterated his willingness to work with the administration on bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks, secure the border, and ensure that treatment and prevention remain central to the federal response to the fentanyl crisis.

“After meeting with Congressman Vasquez in March and sharing our concerns about the rising cost and limited availability of Narcan, we appreciate him being proactive and stepping up to urge the administration to protect these lifesaving resources. Our crews are on the frontlines of the opioid crisis every day, and having access to affordable overdose reversal medications is critical to saving lives in our community,” said the Las Cruces Fire Department.

This letter also comes as part of Rep. Vasquez’s efforts to support first responders during National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. This week, he also cosponsored the bipartisan Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies (CARE) Act to allow seniors on Medicare to receive at-home emergency medical services to treat minor medical incidents by creating a model that reimburses EMS providers delivering treatment in place and not just reimburses when Medicare patients are transported to the hospital. 

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