Last night, Senators Rubio and Cruz had the chance to put $17.5 billion toward helping people with substance abuse. Instead, they voted against the amendment.
Heroin and opioid addiction has become a deadly epidemic in the U.S. and has become especially acute in states like New Hampshire.
Background:
2015: Rubio, Cruz, Paul Voted Against Requiring Qualified Health Plans To Provide Coverage For More Than One FDA-Approved Addiction Treatment Drug. Sens. Rubio, Cruz, Paul voted against an amendment that would “would ramp-up the federal government’s efforts to combat the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic.” According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have “require[d] qualified health care plans to provide coverage for more than one FDA-approved addiction-treatment drug and would create a Substance Use and Mental Health Capacity Expansion Fund.” According to a press release from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the amendment would have “ramp[ed]-up the federal government’s efforts to combat the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic.” The vote was on a motion to waive all applicable budgetary discipline, which requires a 3/5ths majority. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 52. [Senate Vote 317, 12/3/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15; Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Press Release, 12/3/15; Congress.gov, Accessed 12/4/15]
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH): Amendment Would Increase Funding By $17.5 Billion For The Substance Abuse Prevention And Treatment Block Grant And The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Programs. According to a press release from Sen. Shaheen, “Senator Shaheen’s amendment would […]create a Substance Use and Mental Health Capacity Fund to increase funding by $17.5 billion for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant programs. This new funding will expand and sustain federal investments in state programs to prevent and treat mental illness and substance use disorders.” [Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Press Release, 12/3/15]
Published: Dec 4, 2015