U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) on March 14 unveiled bipartisan legislation that would ensure federal funds support only evidence-based programs proven to work for treating substance abuse or a mental health disorder, or that help fortify the foundation of existing evidence to support new treatments.
“With drug overdoses taking the lives of over 4,000 Ohioans in 2016 alone, the drug epidemic is truly taking its toll on our communities,” Rep. Stivers said. “We need to combat the opioid epidemic holistically, and ensuring people receive effective treatment is an important aspect.”
Rep. Stivers and U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced the Reinforcing Evidenced-Based Standards Under Law in Treating Substance Abuse (RESULTS) Act of 2018, H.R. 5272, which would ensure that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grants, cooperative agreements, loans or loan guarantees that fund treatment or prevention programs for mental health and substance use disorders are evidence-based, according to the congressional record summary.
Among several provisions, emergent or innovative treatment programs also could be funded under the proposed measure if a waiver application receives approval, particularly if such programs “will contribute to the body of knowledge that is needed for similar programs and activities (such as programs targeting specific populations) to become evidence-based,” according to draft text of the bill provided by Stivers’ office.
“This bipartisan legislation is a first step to ensure we are funding programs that are proven to help people struggling with drug addiction, while also encouraging new and innovative treatments,” Stivers said.
Rep. Engel noted that the opioid epidemic has impacted not only the lawmakers’ states, but “every corner of our nation.” Making sure that federal treatment dollars fund proven programs while simultaneously supporting innovative therapies could be game-changers in fighting this crisis, he said. “That’s what this bill does: it guarantees that science and evidence are at the forefront when it comes to treating mental health and substance use disorders,” said Engel.
U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) has signed on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 5272, which has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.