To help combat the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis, U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) on May 20 introduced a bipartisan bill that would expand and improve access to treatment for Americans suffering from substance use disorder.
“We must do more to provide access to treatment for those who want to escape opioid abuse and addiction,” Sen. Romney said.
The Life Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment (LifeBOAT) Act, S. 1723, which Sen. Romney cosponsored with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), would establish a one cent stewardship fee on each milligram of active opioid ingredient in a prescription pain pill. Distributed as part of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, the resulting funds would be used to improve access to substance use disorder treatment, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Romney’s office.
“I’m proud to join Senator Manchin’s effort which will help fund treatment facilities around the country and offer support for those who seek treatment for addiction,” said Sen. Romney.
The funds from the stewardship fees would be used for several purposes, including to establish new addiction treatment facilities; to recruit, train and/or increase reimbursement for mental health providers, particularly those working in medically underserved or rural communities; to expand access to long-term, residential treatment programs; and to establish and/or operate support programs that offer employment services, housing and other support services to help a recovering addict transition back into society.
“Importantly, this legislation will bolster the significant work Utah has done to combat the opioid epidemic by helping to fund our state’s treatment and recovery support services,” Sen. Romney added.