[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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