[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5055-H5057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID RECOVERY CENTERS ACT OF 2018
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 5327) to amend title V of the Public Health Service
Act to establish a grant program to create comprehensive opioid
recovery centers, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5327
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Opioid
Recovery Centers Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID RECOVERY CENTERS.
(a) In General.--Part D of title V of the Public Health
Service Act is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 550. COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID RECOVERY CENTERS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants on a
competitive basis to eligible entities to establish or
operate a comprehensive opioid recovery center (referred to
in this section as a `Center').
``(b) Grant Period.--
``(1) In general.--A grant awarded under subsection (a)
shall be for a period not less than three years and not more
than five years.
``(2) Renewal.--A grant awarded under subsection (a) may be
renewed, on a competitive basis, for additional periods of
time, as determined by the Secretary. In determining whether
to renew a grant under this paragraph, the Secretary shall
consider the data submitted under subsection (h).
``(c) Minimum Number of Centers.--The Secretary shall
allocate the amounts made available under subsection (i) in
such amounts that not fewer than 10 Centers will be
established across the United States.
``(d) Application.--In order to be eligible for a grant
under subsection (a), an entity shall submit an application
to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the
Secretary may require. Such application shall include--
``(1) evidence that such entity carries out, or is capable
of coordinating with other entities to carry out, the
activities described in subsection (g); and
``(2) such other information as the Secretary may require.
``(e) Priority.--In awarding grants under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities
located in a State or Indian country (as defined in section
1151 of title 18, United States Code)--
``(1) with a high per capita drug overdose mortality rate,
as determined by the Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; or
``(2) based on any other criteria or need, as determined by
the Secretary.
``(f) Use of Grant Funds.--An eligible entity awarded a
grant under subsection (a) shall use the grant funds to
establish or operate a Center to carry out the activities
described in subsection (g).
``(g) Center Activities and Services.--Each Center shall,
at a minimum, carry out the activities described in this
subsection. In the case of a Center that determines that a
service described in paragraph (2) cannot reasonably be
carried out by the Center, such Center shall contract with
such other entities as may be necessary to ensure that
patients have access to the full range of services described
in such paragraph.
``(1) Community outreach.--Each Center shall carry out the
following outreach activities:
``(A) Train and supervise outreach staff to work with
schools, workplaces, faith-based organizations, State and
local health departments, law enforcement, and first
responders to ensure that such institutions are aware of the
services of the Center.
``(B) Disseminate and make available online evidence-based
resources that educate professionals and the public on opioid
use disorder and other substance use disorders.
``(2) Treatment and recovery services.--Each Center shall
provide the following treatment and recovery services:
``(A) Ensure that intake evaluations meet the clinical
needs of patients.
``(B) Periodically conduct patient assessments to ensure
continued and meaningful recovery, as defined by the
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.
``(C) Provide the full continuum of treatment services,
including--
``(i) all drugs approved under section 505 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and all biological products
licensed under section 351 of this Act, including methadone,
to treat substance use disorders, including opioid use
disorder and alcohol use disorder;
``(ii) withdrawal management, which shall include medically
supervised detoxification that includes patient evaluation,
stabilization, and readiness for and entry into treatment;
``(iii) counseling and case management, including
counseling and recovery services for any possible co-
occurring mental illness;
``(iv) residential rehabilitation;
``(v) recovery housing;
``(vi) community-based and peer recovery support services;
``(vii) job training and placement assistance to support
reintegration into the workforce; and
``(viii) other best practices, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(D) Administer an onsite pharmacy and provide toxicology
services.
``(E) Establish and operate a secure and confidential
electronic health information system.
``(F) Offer family support services such as child care,
family counseling, and parenting interventions to help
stabilize families impacted by substance use disorder.
``(h) Data Reporting and Program Oversight.--With respect
to a grant awarded under subsection (a) to an eligible entity
for a Center, not later than 90 days after the end of the
first year of the grant period, and annually thereafter for
the duration of the grant period (including the duration of
any renewal period for such grant), the entity shall submit
data, as appropriate, to the Secretary regarding--
``(1) the programs and activities funded by the grant;
``(2) health outcomes of individuals with a substance use
disorder who received services from the Center;
``(3) the effectiveness of interventions designed, tested,
and evaluated by the Center; and
``(4) any other information that the Secretary may require
for the purpose of--
``(A) evaluating the effectiveness of the Center; and
``(B) ensuring that the Center is complying with all the
requirements of the grant, including providing the full
continuum of services described in subsection (g)(2)(C) and
providing drugs and devices for overdose reversal under such
subsection.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019
[[Page H5056]]
through 2023 for purposes of carrying out this section.''.
(b) Reports to Congress.--
(1) Preliminary report.--Not later than three years after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a
preliminary report that analyzes data submitted under section
550(h) of the Public Health Service Act, as added by
subsection (a).
(2) Final report.--Not later than one year after submitting
the preliminary report required under paragraph (1), the
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to
Congress a final report that includes--
(A) an evaluation of the effectiveness of comprehensive
opioid recovery centers established or operated pursuant to
section 550 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by
subsection (a);
(B) recommendations on whether the grant program
established under such section 550 should be reauthorized and
expanded; and
(C) standards and best practices for the treatment of
substance use disorders, as identified through such grant
program.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Carter) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 5327,
the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act. This legislation will
help support the establishment of Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers
to serve as models for comprehensive treatment and recovery. These
centers will provide substance use disorder patients with a wide range
of treatment options for integrated care. By treating the whole person
and utilizing the full range of FDA-approved medications and evidence-
based treatments, these centers will dramatically improve the outcomes
for individuals with substance use disorder and serve as models for
evidence-based treatment across the country.
I would like to thank the vice chairman of the Health Subcommittee
Vice Chairman Brett Guthrie, Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Gene
Green, and Representatives Larry Bucshon and Ben Ray Lujan for leading
this important initiative.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5327, the Comprehensive Opioid
Recovery Centers Act.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5327, the Comprehensive Opioid
Recovery Centers Act.
More than 21 million individuals in this country need substance abuse
treatment, but we know there are numerous barriers to accessing help
for substance abuse disorder.
One of the many barriers that exists is the gap in healthcare
providers available to treat opioid use disorder.
Worsening the situation, our current healthcare system and the
methods of treating substance abuse disorders is often fragmented,
leading to incomplete patient care.
Without a standardized way of approaching screening or treatment for
opioid use disorder, treatment centers use a range of methods to manage
opioid use disorder, some are more successful than others.
H.R. 5327, bipartisan legislation which would require SAMHSA to
provide grants to develop comprehensive opioid recovery centers will
begin to address some of the deficits in opioid use disorder care.
These centers will provide outreach to help educate the communities
about opioid and other substance use disorders, assist with
coordination of treatment, and offer recovery activities.
The comprehensive opioid recovery centers will use best practices, to
deliver integrated opioid use disorder care, giving other treatment
centers a model to look towards, improving the quality of OUD
treatment.
Improving access to evidence-based substance use disorder treatments
is critical for ensuring patients get the care that they need.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Gene Green), who is the ranking member of our Health
Subcommittee.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my ranking member.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5327, the Comprehensive Opioid
Recovery Centers Act.
The opioid epidemic is harming Americans in communities throughout
our great country, including my hometown of Houston, Texas. In 2016
alone, over 42,000 Americans died due to an opioid-related overdose,
based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More must be done to give Americans access to treatment and the full
continuum of care they need to recover from substance abuse and live a
full and healthy life.
For these reasons, I was proud to introduce the Comprehensive Opioid
Recovery Centers Act with Representatives Brett Guthrie, Ben Ray Lujan,
and Larry Bucshon in March.
This legislation will fund the designated treatment centers where
Americans suffering from opioid abuse can receive comprehensive
patient-centered care. Our bill would allow designated treatment
centers to provide a wider variety of treatment options tailored to the
specific needs of its clients.
Covered services under this bill would include mental health,
medication-assisted treatment, counseling, recovery housing, peer
support, and job training and placement to support reintegration into
the workforce. These wraparound services have been shown to help many
Americans who have successfully overcome opioid addiction. It is our
intention that this bill will help develop world-class models for
treatment and recovery that can be duplicated nationwide.
I would like to thank Congressmen Guthrie, Lujan, and Bucshon for
their hard work on this bill. I would also like to thank our ranking
member, Frank Pallone, and our chair, Greg Walden, for their support
of our bill and their assistance moving this legislation through
committee and on to the House floor today.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and vote in support of
this important legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from Oregon
will control the balance of the time of the majority.
There was no objection.
Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie), who is the vice chair of our
Health Subcommittee and has been a leader on this opioid issue along
with other healthcare issues to improve the lives of American citizens
and especially those in his home State and district.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Comprehensive
Opioid Recovery Centers Act, a bipartisan bill that will establish
treatment centers that offer a full range of treatment for people
suffering from opioid use disorder.
Over the past several months, I have been holding public events in
each of the 21 counties in my district. In every county I continue to
hear about the awful effects of our Nation's opioid crisis. Each story
is a little different, but they are all heart-wrenching due to the
deadly effects of opioid use disorder and addiction.
Right now, most patients are going to the center that is most
convenient to them, but those centers might offer only one type of
treatment. What if that treatment doesn't work for that person?
That is why I introduced the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers
Act, so that people can show up at one facility and have full
wraparound treatment services and succeed in beating addiction.
I want to especially thank my friends, Congressman Gene Green,
Congressman Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, and Larry Bucshon of Indiana
for introducing this bill with me. This is a bipartisan bill. It will
make a difference in people's lives, and I urge my colleagues to
support this bill.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Ben Ray Lujan), who is one of the
Democratic sponsors.
[[Page H5057]]
Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Guthrie and
Dr. Bucshon for working with myself and Mr. Gene Green of Texas on this
bill.
I rise today in support of the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers
Act. This bill would fund at least 10 comprehensive opioid centers
across America. These centers will focus on community engagement,
prevention, treatment, and also recovery services.
They can be newly established centers or can build upon existing
infrastructure. They will be located in areas hit hardest by this
epidemic, and they will serve those who need help the most.
Since 2008, New Mexico has had one of the highest rates of drug
overdose deaths in the country. According to the CDC, New Mexico had
the third highest drug overdose death rate in the Nation in 2013 and
the second highest in 2014.
Almost every county in New Mexico has a higher rate than the national
average. In some of the most hard-hit New Mexico counties, the overdose
death rates were more than five times the national rate.
Now, we know 10 centers across 50 States will not solve this problem.
Still, we hope that these centers can stand as examples for what
substance use disorder facilities could strive to be.
I hope that these comprehensive centers will give families hope,
researchers data, and communities across this country the resources
that they so desperately need.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I urge my
colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, this is more good, bipartisan work here
attacking this opioid epidemic. I would encourage my colleagues to
support this piece of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5327, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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