Congressman Harold Rogers | Harold Rogers official website
Congressman Harold Rogers | Harold Rogers official website
On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, a bill aimed at providing treatment and recovery services for addiction. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) voted for the bill, which includes his Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program.
"Eastern Kentucky was once dubbed the 'Nation's Painkiller Capital,' but thanks to comprehensive efforts to expand treatment and education in our region, we're leading the country in access to recovery. This bill will help continue those efforts with critical funding for programs that are saving lives here at home and across America," said Congressman Rogers, who is also the cofounder of Operation UNITE, a nonprofit organization combatting the opioid epidemic through law enforcement, treatment, and education.
The bill addresses the alarming issue of babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), which is developed when mothers take opioids or other substances during pregnancy. According to a recent report from the University of Kentucky and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Commonwealth ranks among the highest in the nation for babies born with NAS, with more than 77 out of every 1,000 babies born in Eastern Kentucky in 2020 affected by the syndrome.
"We must do more to help these babies suffering with NAS, and that starts with helping their mothers. This bill will ensure there are more medical professionals prepared for the treatment field, safer prescribing in every state, and more access to recovery in every corner of the country," said Congressman Rogers.
One of the key provisions of the bill is Congressman Rogers' STAR Loan Repayment Program, which incentivizes medical students to work in the treatment field. The program is expanded for five more years and the authorized amount is increased from $25 million to $40 million, allowing more treatment professionals to participate.
The Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act builds upon the Substance Use Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act, which was first passed in 2018. The bill enhances access to services for pregnant and postpartum women, provides training and support for first responders, and empowers individuals to participate in the workforce and live independently. It also provides coverage for certified opioid treatment programs for Medicare patients and temporarily extends coverage of medication-assisted treatment for Medicaid recipients.
Furthermore, the legislation strengthens coordination between the FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to prevent illicit drug trafficking at the southern border and through the mail.
The bill will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration. For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.
Click here to read H.R. 4531
Click this link to access more information: https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=8BC45E65-8E51-436D-9B2C-4461D5C2CDA0
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