A bipartisan bill sponsored this week by U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) would increase Americans’ access to treatment for opioid use disorder.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, substance abuse and overdoses have been on the rise,” Rep. Bucshon said, “making getting safe and effective opioid use disorder treatment as soon as possible critical in keeping our communities safe and healthy throughout Indiana and across the country.”
The Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act of 2022, H.R. 7238, which has three original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Cindy Axne (D-IA), would revise opioid treatment program criteria to remove the requirement that patients must have been addicted for at least one year before being admitted for treatment, according to the text of the bill.
“With nearly one in every 12 Hoosiers meeting the criteria for having a substance use disorder, Hoosiers are now more likely to die from a drug overdose than in a car crash,” said Rep. Bucshon. “I am proud to introduce the Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act to ensure that no Hoosier has to wait a year before receiving life-saving treatment.”
Rep. Miller-Meeks pointed out that the ongoing opioid crisis has impacted families and communities across the United States for years.
“Unfortunately, Iowans are no exception. Opioid addiction does not have a timeline and does not discriminate,” she said. “Patients should be able to begin treatment for opioid addiction as soon as possible. I am proud to help introduce this bipartisan and commonsense legislation to help more Americans get the treatment they need.”
H.R. 7238 has been referred to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for consideration.