Energy and Commerce Advances Bills to Address Critical Substance Abuse, Mental Health and Health Care Challenges
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E. (W.Va.-01) today joined the Energy and Commerce Committee to advance major packages, which include a number of mental health care and substance abuse related bills.
"The bills considered today all have one thing in common: they address pressing health care and treatment concerns facing individuals and families in West Virginia and across the country. Supporting improvements to our mental health care and substance abuse treatment resources has been a top priority for me and I am glad to continue work on this vital issue,” said Rep. McKinley.
“West Virginia has consistently topped the list for the highest number of opioid and fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the country. This has devastated families and communities throughout our state,” said Rep. McKinley. “We’ve worked for years to address this drug crisis, but our work is not done. We need to continue fighting for expanded substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services, like many of the bills covered today will provide.”
“At a time of so much division and polarization, this is a good example of coming together to advance legislation addressing important challenges,” said Rep. McKinley.
BACKGROUND:
The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022
Rep. McKinley is a co-sponsor of a majority of the bills considered, including:Mental Health
- The Anna Westin Legacy Act of 2022 (H.R. 7249), reauthorizes funding for the Center of Excellence to provide training on eating disorders for health care providers.
- The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7241), reauthorizes grant program that ensures state funding for mental health related resources.
- The Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Act of 2022 (H.R. 7235), reauthorizes the Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Block Grants.
- The Excellence in Recovery Housing Act (H.R. 2376), tasks SAMHSA with various activities to promote the availability of high-quality recovery housing for individuals with substance use disorders.
Original source can be found here.
