WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed on Wednesday a legislative package with multiple measures aimed at combatting the opioid epidemic.
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act includes efforts to improve communication between medical personnel and patients, support for developing non-opioid pain treatment, funding for programs that offer trauma-informed care for youth and new policies on Medicaid and Medicare.
Medicaid payments can go toward covering neonatal abstinence syndrome and treatment for Medicare beneficiaries.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee was the only senator to vote against the legislation, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz did not vote on the measure.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said the package’s passage will go toward state and national efforts targetting opioid misuse.
“Our state understands far too well how this crisis is tearing apart families and communities, but our experience has also helped inform efforts to fight back. We have discovered what is working, what is not, and, perhaps most importantly, that the ripple effects go far beyond those struggling with addiction,” she said. “I worked hard to make sure that this legislation reflects many of those lessons.”
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., also applauded the legislation’s passage.
“West Virginia has the highest overdose rate per capita of any state in our nation and the impacts of this epidemic can be felt in every family, every community and every corner of our state. That’s why I made sure that this bill included a set aside for states like West Virginia where mortality rates are through the roof,” he said.
“This language more than tripled the amount of funding coming to our state for this coming year, and I will continue to fight to ensure West Virginia is getting our fair share of funding to fight this epidemic.”
The House of Representatives passed the resolution last week in a 393-8 vote. Reps. David McKinley and Alex Mooney voted in favor of the legislation, as did then-Rep. Evan Jenkins in one of his last actions as a congressman.
Jenkins took the oath of office this week to become a member of the state Supreme Court.