WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday passed 94-1 a bill that aims to combat the nation’s opioid drug and heroin epidemic. The legislation, known as the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act, would allow the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants for states to expand treatment efforts and access to overdose-prevention drugs.
The legislation “will help tackle this crisis by expanding education and prevention initiatives, improving treatment programs and bolstering law enforcement efforts,” Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said on the Senate floor before the vote.
Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, was the only no vote.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was a co-sponsor of the legislation and spoke on the Senate floor in support of the legislation.
“The heroin and opioid abuse epidemic can be seen in emergency rooms, local jails, on main streets, and in homes across Maine and throughout our country,” Collins said in a statement. “In 2014, there were a record 272 overdose deaths in the state of Maine, the vast majority due to heroin or prescription opioids, and the problem is only getting worse. This legislation recognizes opioid and heroin abuse for the public health crisis that it has become, and it offers meaningful and effective ways to support communities seeking to expand treatment, prevention, law enforcement and recovery efforts.”
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, also was a co-sponsor of the legislation but cautioned that it does not go far enough in funding treatment, prevention and enforcement efforts. Last week, the Senate rejected an amendment to the bill supported by King that would have provided $600 million in emergency funding to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic.
“This bill isn’t perfect, but it’s a significant step in the right direction as we work to tackle the relentless scourge of drug addiction across the country and across Maine. And it proves that we can put partisan differences aside and focus on the needs of the American people,” said King. “But the fight against addiction is far from over, and we must do more to meet this enemy head on. I will continue to do all that I can to make sure Maine’s voice is heard in this critical and ongoing national debate.”
King spoke on the Senate floor last week about the story of Garrett Brown, a young man from central Maine who let the Bangor Daily News chronicle his life for 2½ years before dying of a heroin overdose late last year.
The Senate spent nearly two weeks debating the legislation, and on Wednesday, it reached an agreement on amendments, adopting language intended to strengthen consumer education about opioid abuse and provide follow-up services to people who have received overdose reversal drugs. Last week, senators adopted an amendment that would prevent at-risk patients from getting prescriptions from multiple doctors, and another that would give the Justice Department additional authorities to combat drug trafficking.
After a heated partisan debate over how to fund the new programs, the Senate ultimately rejected a Democratic amendment to include $600 million in emergency funding. Republicans argue that the fiscal 2016 omnibus included funding that can be used, and that more will be found during this year’s appropriations process.
“This authorization bill, in addition to the $400 million opioid-specific programs just a few months ago, can make important strides in combating the growing addiction and opioid problem we’ve seen in every one of our states,” McConnell said.
The bill now awaits action in the House, where companion legislation awaits a hearing by the Judiciary Committee.
Outside groups praised the bill’s passage, including the “doctor shopping” provision that would allow Medicare to designate single prescribers for at-risk patients.
“This provision will ensure Medicare patients get needed pain relief without being exposed to dangerous amounts of prescription drugs,” said Cynthia Reilly, director of Pew’s prescription drug abuse project.
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