Content courtesy of Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR):
Behavioral Health Legislation
In an effort to address the overwhelming increase in opioid-related overdoses and overall behavioral health needs during the pandemic, the House and Senate have both introduced bills that would provide funding for organizations and entities that are intentional in serving populations where COVID-19 has had the most impact and areas with the highest cases of the virus.
- On June 29th, Representative Max Rose (NY) and Senator Tina Smith (MN) introduced companion bills on June 29th in the Senate and House to make sure public organizations and nonprofits can more effectively and efficiently provide mental health and substance use disorder services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and future emergencies. Through the Emergency Support for Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services Act, organizations that provide peer recovery support services would be eligible for assistance. We are pleased to report that in the text of the legislation, wherever treatment and prevention services qualify for eligibility, so do recovery support services.
- On April 24th, Representative Ann McLane Kuster (NH), along with Representative John Katko (NY), introduced HR 6620, which would authorize grants to address substance use during COVID–19. The legislation, which primarily focuses on harm reduction, establishes a grant program for states and community-based organizations, and recovery support services and efforts to reduce stigma are an allowable use of the funds.