Capito bill would revamp ranking process for states seeking opioid crisis grants

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on Tuesday introduced the Targeted Opioid Formula Act, S. 2125, to ensure federal funds support states struggling to meet the nationwide opioid crisis based on needs rather than population size.

“By targeting resources to where they’re needed most, we can make our efforts to fight this epidemic more strategic and more effective,” Sen. Capito said.

Currently, the State Targeted Response Opioid Crisis Grant program established by the 21st Century Cures Act prioritizes federal funds to the most populous states. Instead, S. 2125 would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to use a formula that considers state mortality rates and limited treatment and service access to rank funding.

“The opioid crisis has affected lives and communities across the country, but some states — including West Virginia — have been hit harder than others,” said Capito, who added that the legislation would ensure states impacted the worst by the drug epidemic receive their fair share of the resources being provided to fight it.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported earlier this year that West Virginia is among a handful of states with the highest rates of fatal drug overdoses from opioid painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin.

“West Virginia is ground zero in the opioid epidemic,” said Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who along with Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Capito in introducing the bill.

“This legislation will ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to help our communities beat this public health crisis,” Manchin said.

S. 2125 has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.