The U.S. Senate on Oct. 3 voted to pass landmark legislation to fight the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis with support from U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Dean Heller (R-NV).
The comprehensive Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, H.R. 6, which includes provisions from 95 other pieces of legislation, makes several changes to state Medicaid programs to address opioid and substance use disorders, alters Medicare requirements to address opioid use, and addresses other opioid-related issues, according to the congressional record summary.
“This groundbreaking, comprehensive legislation will help deliver critical funding to states hit the hardest like West Virginia,” Sen. Capito said, pointing out that H.R. 6 supports families, infants, children, and law enforcement.
The measure, she added, also takes “a real all-hands-on-deck approach” to tackling both the causes and consequences of the nation’s opioid epidemic.
H.R. 6 includes eight pieces of legislation that Sen. Heller either authored or co-authored to help fight Nevada’s opioid crisis.
“One of my top priorities is combating the opioid crisis, which is affecting communities across Nevada,” said Sen. Heller. “I am proud to see the U.S. Senate pass – with my strong support – this bipartisan package.”
The provisions included in H.R. 6 offered by Sen. Heller are:
“The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act has the potential to save lives by helping prevent overdoses and providing our communities with the tools they need to make sure that those who need help get it,” added Sen. Heller earlier this week.
Sen. Capito noted that her home state of West Virginia “understands far too well how this crisis is tearing apart families and communities.”
However, such experiences also have informed lawmakers’ efforts to fight back, she said.
“The SUPPORT Act is a meaningful step in our ongoing effort to combat the opioid epidemic in West Virginia and across the nation,” Sen. Capito said.
The lawmaker also said that legislators and other stakeholders have learned what’s working, what doesn’t work, and “that the ripple effects go far beyond those struggling with addiction.”
Sen. Capito added that she has “worked hard to make sure that this legislation reflects many of those lessons.”
“I’m incredibly proud to have secured so many critical provisions in the final bill and to have played a role in helping shape the legislative package we sent to President Trump,” said Sen. Capito. “While there is no silver bullet when it comes to the opioid epidemic, I know this will help make a meaningful difference, and I will continue fighting to deliver similar solutions for West Virginians and all those affected.”
The president is expected soon to sign H.R. 6 making the bill a federal law.
“This bipartisan legislation is a perfect example of what Congress can accomplish when we work together, and I’m proud to help send it to the president’s desk,” said Sen. Heller.
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