We have not one, but TWO big visits on July 27. And we mean big.

Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren are coming here for a tour and roundtable discussion on a bill they’re cosponsoring to combat our country’s opioid epidemic. And as luck would have it, C-SPAN has also asked to film a live broadcast on the opioid crisis the same day!

While these are two separate events, both will call attention to the growing opioid epidemic in our city and our country—and we’re honored that they have asked us to host, and join, these conversations.

So as not to interrupt our clinic flow, both events will be filmed at 421 Fallsway on the 3^rd floor. But if you see a few strangers lugging cameras upstairs, or a lost senator roaming the halls, don’t be alarmed! We’ll try to keep it to business as usual.

UPDATE:

• A group of 15 will tour the clinic from 10-10:15 a.m. 
• The 3^rd-floor lunchroom will be closed from 10:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• The parking garage will be closed from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please do not park your car in the garage during these times.

Congressional tour and roundtable, 10-12 a.m.

Crafted after the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act that revolutionized our response to the HIV/AIDS crisis 30 years ago, Congressman Cummings and Senator Warren’s proposed bill would invest $100 billion over 10 years in programs that treat people who are battling substance use. 

The roundtable discussion will look at our crisis and what this bill can do to fix it. Dr. Leana Wen will moderate the discussion, and Mayor Pugh, Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle have been invited to participate. On our end, Client Rosalind McCrory will be joining as well as Katie League and Kevin Lindamood, among others.

The roundtable format follows a similar event Senator Warren held with the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program back in April to unveil the legislation.

Live C-SPAN broadcast, 7-10 a.m.

The Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN) will be posting up on our balcony to catch some of the Baltimore cityscape as they discuss the opioid crisis at-large, and look to Baltimore as a specific example of a city grappling with opioid use.

C-SPAN is still assembling its crew of participants for the live broadcast, but some folks from the roundtable discussion, such as Dr. Leana Wen and Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle, are invited to join. Our very own Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Laura Garcia and Danny Resnick were interviewed by C-SPAN last week and will be featured in the program.

We’ll share more details with you as things are finalized, and will be sure to post filming, photos and whatever else comes from these exciting events!