The White House is making a new call for Congress to approve $1.1 billion to boost the fight against opioid abuse, while highlighting the Obama administration’s efforts to combat the epidemic.
President Obama declared this week to be Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week, just as congressional negotiators are trying to reach a deal to fund the government past this month.
“Far too many Americans still do not get the treatment and care they need,” the White House said. “That is why the president continues to call on Congress to provide $1.1 billion in new funding to make sure everyone who wants treatment for an opioid use disorder can get the treatment they need.”
President Obama signed into law in July the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. While Obama approved of the law’s contents, which include expanding access to treatment programs, he decried the lack of funding in it.
The bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, has said that he supports more funding as long as it goes through the congressional appropriations process.
Senate negotiators behind a continuing resolution to fund the government past the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 are discussing adding opioid funding, according to a report in Morning Consult.
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., one of the negotiators, told Morning Consult that there is no particular reason to hold back money for fighting opioid abuse.
