A new federal grant program would be created to improve access to, develop, or expand services that transport Americans to or from substance use disorder treatment or supportive services under a new bipartisan bill recently introduced by U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA).
“Too often, people seeking treatment in our communities face long travel times, high transportation costs, and difficulty receiving timely care,” Rep. Valadao said on June 5. “We should be doing everything we can to make it easier for people suffering from substance use disorder to get the help they need and break the cycle of addiction.”
The congressman on May 20 cosponsored the Connections to Health Infrastructure and Emergency Recovery Services (CHIERS) Act of 2026, H.R. 8916, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and fellow cosponsor U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) to create the grant program.
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” said Rep. Bacon. “This program will help thousands of citizens get the help they need, and I’m grateful to work with Rep. Bonamici on this important effort.”
If enacted, H.R. 8916 would create the grant program with funding that could be used to train staff, purchase vehicles, and contract with ridesharing services to cover transportation.
The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development would award grants to eligible entities, including community health centers; Continuum of Care Program participants; opioid recovery centers; state, tribal, and local governments; and nonprofit organizations.
“People shouldn’t be held back from getting the care they need because they do not have a way to get there,” said Rep. Bonamici, adding that she is working with her bipartisan colleagues to make rides to treatment available to more people across the country who are intoxicated or at risk.