REPS. JENKINS, KUSTER INTRODUCE BILL TO IMPROVE OPIOID CRISIS FUNDING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) and Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) introduced legislation today to ensure federal opioid epidemic funding goes to the states most affected, like West Virginia and New Hampshire.

Their legislation, the Federal Opioid Response Fairness Act, would ensure that states most affected by the opioid crisis receive much-needed resources under the 21st Century Cures Act, which authorized $1 billion in funding to address the drug crisis.

The 21st Century Cures Act, bipartisan legislation signed into law last year, included $1 billion in funding to address the drug crisis. In distributing these funds, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration relied on a funding formula that benefited states with larger populations.

The legislation introduced by Kuster and Jenkins would make clear that per capita overdose deaths should be a part of the formula used to distribute 21st Century Cures Act funding. The introduction follows Monday’s announcement by HHS and SAMHSA that there would be no change in the funding formula for the distribution of opioid State Targeted Response grants.

“The opioid epidemic has touched every community in West Virginia, and federal agencies must prioritize helping the states struggling the most,” Rep. Jenkins said. “This legislation will make sure that West Virginia and other states hardest hit by the drug crisis get the resources they need to truly make an impact in combating this epidemic. I applaud Congresswoman Kuster for her tireless efforts to help people find recovery, and I am proud to stand with her to introduce this legislation.”

“My home state of New Hampshire has been devastated by the opioid epidemic,” said Congresswoman Kuster, co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force. “It’s hurting families and communities in every corner of the state and we desperately need to get additional resources to those on the frontlines to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services. I was extremely disappointed that HHS and SAMHSA interpreted congressional intent in Cures to assist states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic by focusing merely on states with the largest population. I’m pleased to join with my colleague Congressman Jenkins who also represents a state struggling from the crisis to introduce this commonsense legislation.”