House passes GOP-supported bills to combat substance use disorders

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bipartisan bill supported by U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and David Valadao (R-CA) that would reauthorize community-based programs to support people facing substance use disorders. The bill also includes Rep. Kim’s legislation to provide resources for pregnant and postpartum women with substance abuse disorders.

Rep. Kim thanked her colleagues for joining her to support mothers. “I will keep fighting for maternity care solutions,” she said.

The House on Dec. 12 voted 386-37 to pass the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, H.R. 4531, which U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) sponsored on July 11 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) to reauthorize through fiscal year 2028 and modify various grants, programs, and activities that address substance use and misuse, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Rep. Kim on July 27 signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 4531, while Rep. Valadao cosponsored the bill on Aug. 11.

“I was proud to support legislation to ensure critical prevention programs, life-saving treatments, and long-term recovery services are available to those individuals working to overcome their substance use disorders,” Rep. Valadao said. “The language I secured in this bill will help to inform Congress, public health experts, and Medicaid providers about how to best meet the needs of individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders.”

H.R. 4531 includes the bipartisan Protecting Moms and Infants Reauthorization Act of 2023, H.R. 4092, which Rep. Kim cosponsored on June 14 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (R-WA) to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize support for residential treatment programs and services for pregnant and postpartum women, according to the text of H.R. 4092.

“The Protecting Moms and Infants Reauthorization Act ensures that mothers, as well as their impacted children and family members, who struggle with substance use disorders can receive vital treatment they need for a lasting recovery,” said Rep. Kim. 

Services under the bill include substance use disorder treatment planning and recovery, parenting training, mental health counseling, and harm reduction interventions.  

“As a mother of four grown children who are now having families of their own, I have experienced and seen glimpses of the many maternal health challenges women face during and after pregnancy,” Rep. Kim added. “Moms are warriors who keep our communities running and deserve our bipartisan support.”

The U.S. Senate on Dec. 13 received the larger H.R. 4531 for consideration.