Congress has sent a bill to the President tackling the opioid epidemic on multiple fronts after a 92-2 vote in the Senate Wednesday. The legislation could expand resources to rural areas, but some question whether there is enough funding to do so.
Before walking out the door for a summer recess, Senators used a procedural move to vote on and pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, nearly a week after the House approved the same bill.
Proponents - like cosponsor and Ohio Senator Rob Portman - say rural areas can expect an expansion of evidence-based anti-opioid abuse programs including access to the overdose-reversal medication naloxone and nurse practitioners, along with physician assistants qualifying to administer treatment medications.
While Democrats voted for the bill and President Obama will likely sign it, there was disappointment with the bill's lack of funding. A $1.1 billion proposal was rejected when lawmakers from both chambers met in conference last week.
Republicans, meanwhile, are promising funding for CARA and other anti-opioid programs during budget talks this fall.
