Following Rose-led Bipartisan Push, House Approves Increase in Funding for Opioid Treatment, Prevention

Statement

Following Rose-led Bipartisan Push, House Approves Increase in Funding for Opioid Treatment, Prevention
House Appropriations Committee increases funding for SAMSHA by $115 million above current levels, $179 million above the President's budget request
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Washington, May 14, 2019
Tags: Healthcare & Combating the Drug Epidemic
Following a bipartisan push of more than 50 Members of Congress led by Congressman Max Rose to increase funding for opioid prevention and treatment efforts, the House Committee on Appropriations passed legislation to increase funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) by more than $100 million, including increases of $14 million for substance abuse treatment and $7 million for prevention efforts from current funding levels.

"There's no silver bullet to end the opioid epidemic, but there are steps we can take at every level to really make a difference and save lives," said Rose, a member of the Bipartisan Heroin and Opioids Task Force. "Increasing funding for critical treatment and prevention efforts is essential, but we also have to stop the supply of fentanyl coming from China, increase awareness and education programs, and encourage coordination between law enforcement, healthcare, and local institutions. Beating this public health crisis will truly take a coordinated and comprehensive approach--but I have hope we can get this done, because frankly, we have no other choice."

The legislation passed by the House Committee on Appropriations funds SAMHSA at $5.9 billion, $115 million above the current funding and $179 million above the President's budget request. The funding includes $3.8 billion for substance use treatment, an increase of $14 million, including continued funding for opioid prevention and treatment, and three new behavioral health programs to enhance treatment efforts; and $212 million for substance abuse prevention, an increase of $7 million above current funding.

SAMHSA plays a critical role in fighting the opioid epidemic through funding and grant programs to state and local governments, and other institutions to help ensure Americans receive the prevention, treatment, and recovery services they need.

"With concern of a potential fiscal cliff that would disrupt the flow of resources specifically dedicated to the opioid crisis, we ask that you continue funding for these grants to address opioid addiction and overdose. These dollars have saved lives, and a continued investment in these grants is critical during this ongoing crisis. We urge you to provide the highest possible funding level for SAMHSA in FY 2020," wrote Rose and 53 of his colleagues in a March letter to leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, which overseas funding for the agency. "Programs administered by SAMHSA play a critical role in ensuring that Americans get the substance use services that they need, and increased investments in SAMHSA will ultimately lead to more lives saved, and a healthier population."

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