[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5006-H5008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADDICTION ACT OF 2020
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5572) to establish a grant program for family community
organizations that provide support for individuals struggling with
substance use disorder and their families, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5572
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
[[Page H5007]]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Family Support Services for
Addiction Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING
WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 290dd et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 553. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS
STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `family community organization' means an
independent nonprofit organization that--
``(A) mobilizes resources within and outside of the
community of families with individuals living with addiction,
to provide a support network, education, and evidence-
informed tools for families and loved ones of individuals
struggling with substance use disorders; and
``(B) is governed by experts in the field of addiction,
which may include--
``(i) experts in evidence-informed interventions for family
members;
``(ii) experts in the impact of addiction on family
systems;
``(iii) families who have experience with substance use
disorders and addiction; and
``(iv) other experts in the field of addiction; and
``(2) the term `family support services' means resources or
programs that support families that include an individual
with substance use disorder.
``(b) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary shall award grants
to family community organizations to enable such
organizations to develop, expand, and enhance evidence-
informed family support services.
``(c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the costs of a
program funded by a grant under this section may not exceed
85 percent.
``(d) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under subsection (b)--
``(1) shall be used to develop, expand, and enhance
community and statewide evidence-informed family support
services; and
``(2) may be used to--
``(A) build connections between family support networks,
including providing technical assistance between family
community organizations and peer support networks, and with
other family support services, focused on enhancing knowledge
of evidence-informed interventions for family members and
loved ones of individuals living with substance use disorders
and reducing harm by educating service providers on current
evidence regarding addiction and the family, including--
``(i) behavioral health providers, including such providers
focused specifically on family and couples therapy in the
context of addiction;
``(ii) primary care providers;
``(iii) providers of foster care services or support
services for grandparents, guardians, and other extended
family impacted by addiction; and
``(iv) other family support services that connect to
community resources for individuals with substance use
disorders, including non-clinical community services;
``(B) reduce stigma associated with the family of
individuals with substance use disorders by improving
knowledge about addiction and its treatment, providing
compassionate support, and dispelling myths that perpetuate
such stigma;
``(C) conduct outreach on issues relating to substance use
disorders and family support, which may include education,
training, and resources with respect to--
``(i) building a resilience- and strengths-based approach
to prevention of, and living with, addiction in the family;
``(ii) identifying the signs of substance use disorder;
``(iii) adopting an approach that minimizes harm to all
family members; and
``(iv) families of individuals with a substance use
disorder, including with respect to--
``(I) navigating the treatment and recovery systems;
``(II) paying for addiction treatment;
``(III) education about substance use disorder; and
``(IV) avoiding predatory treatment programs; and
``(D) connect families to evidence-informed peer support
programs.
``(e) Data Reporting and Program Oversight.--With respect
to a grant awarded under subsection (a), 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, the
entity shall submit data, as appropriate and to the extent
practicable, to the Secretary regarding--
``(1) the programs and activities funded by the grant;
``(2) health outcomes of the population of individuals with
a substance use disorder who received services through
programs supported by the grant, as evaluated by an
independent program evaluator through the use of outcomes
measures, as determined by the Secretary; and
``(3) any other information that the secretary may require
for the purpose of ensuring that the grant recipient is
complying with all the requirements of the grant.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 5572.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5572, the Family
Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020.
According to new data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration, nearly 20 million Americans live with a
substance use disorder. While we are making progress in connecting
Americans with treatment, the reality is that only a fraction of those
Americans receives the care they really need.
The Family Support Services for Addiction Act builds upon recent
congressional efforts, such as the 21st Century Cures Act and the
SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, to help close the treatment
gap and get Americans on the road to recovery. We know that families
can play a significant role in helping an individual find treatment,
yet there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to ensuring a family
member or loved one can get the care they need. We also know that
substance use disorders affect more than just the individual. It
affects the family in its entirety.
Madam Speaker, as my colleagues and I heard during our hearings on
this bill, getting families evidence-based guidance and connecting them
with other community support systems can dramatically influence the
trajectory of an individual's path to recovery. That is exactly what
this bill sets out to do.
H.R. 5572 would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services
to award grants to family community organizations that would work to
develop, expand, and enhance evidence-based family support services.
These family community organizations can use the grant to reduce stigma
around substance use disorder and build connections between families
and providers, foster care services, and other peer-support services.
Madam Speaker, given the impact of this drug epidemic, chances are
that many of us know someone--whether it be a loved one, a neighbor, a
co-worker, or a classmate--who has a substance use disorder. And while
we know that substance use disorders are complex, they are treatable.
An individual's road to treatment can be driven by family supports
encouraged through this legislation.
I commend the lead sponsor of this legislation, Representative
David Trone and also Representative Daniel Meuser, and their staff,
for advocating for additional support for families. I also thank the
Democratic and Republican members of our committee, as well as
bipartisan committee staff, for working together to move this bill, and
I hope the Senate will act on it swiftly.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5572, the Family Support
Services for Addiction Act, which was introduced by Representatives
Trone and Meuser.
This legislation would establish grant programs for family community
organizations to provide evidence-informed and family-based approaches
to substance use and addiction management. Family-based approaches have
demonstrated stronger outcomes in substance use disorder recovery when
compared with individual approaches, as they address several
psychosocial dimensions of addiction and strengthen support networks
for affected individuals.
Madam Speaker, the legislation before us today supports family
community organizations that are committed to pursuing evidence-based
interventions for substance use disorder, reduce the stigma of
addiction, and strengthen both families and communities through
recovery.
[[Page H5008]]
Madam Speaker, I thank our two colleagues that sponsored this
important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone).
Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to show my support for the
millions of families struggling to help their loved ones suffering
through addiction.
My family fought to get help for my nephew, Ian, that he needed
before he lost his life to an overdose in 2016. It was hard for us to
do, even with the resources we had at our disposal.
For most families, it is nearly impossible to navigate our behavioral
health system in its current form. It is a confusing system that leaves
families like mine with no clue what treatment option is right for
their loved one.
Now more than ever, families are on the front lines of this fight.
Overdoses are on the rise across America, and COVID-19 is making
matters much worse. Every single county in my district saw an increase
in overdose deaths last quarter--some as much as 50 percent. And last
year, more Americans died of drug overdoses than ever before--more than
70,000.
Madam Speaker, that is why I introduced the Family Support Services
for Addiction Act with Congressman Dan Meuser. This bipartisan bill
provides for nonprofits working with families struggling with
addiction. The bill will provide grants to reach more families, create
more tailored treatments, and save more lives.
Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Meuser, Chairman Pallone,
Chairwoman Eshoo, and Ranking Member Walden for this much-needed bill.
We have got to get this done. Lives are depending on it.
Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation.
Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser), one of the coauthors of this
very, very important and meaningful legislation, who serves
Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District in the U.S. House.
Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, it is really my honor to be here today in
support with Congressman Trone, and I thank him for his partnership and
his leadership on this very important issue.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer support for our bill, H.R. 5572,
the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, which provides a family
and community-based approach to addiction treatment that works to
address the deep-seated effects of the addiction crisis on so many
families.
The opioid epidemic is ravaging my district and many States across
America, and all of Pennsylvania is by no means an exception. In 2017,
Pennsylvania experienced 5,456 drug-related overdose deaths. It has
impacted virtually every family throughout the Commonwealth.
Far too many families struggling with substance use disorder feel
like they have nowhere to turn for the resources and very important
information.
{time} 1515
This bill would establish a grant program for family community
organizations that provide support for families of individuals
struggling with substance use disorder. These services can include
information and referral sources, support groups, system navigation to
assist the family in finding resources, parent training and education,
specialized crisis support, and, really, much, much more, again, where
they currently don't know where to turn.
As a member of the Freshman Working Group on Addiction, I am very
proud to be the Republican lead on a bill that takes critical steps to
help families feel empowered and equipped to support their loved ones
struggling with substance use disorder.
I again want to very, very sincerely congratulate and thank
Congressman David Trone for his hard work, his dedication, and his
great care in helping those suffering from drug addiction.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I urge its swift
passage.
Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5572, the
``Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020.'' I'm proud to
have advanced this bipartisan bill through my Health Subcommittee and
I'm pleased to support it on the Floor today.
H.R. 5572, the ``Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020''
was introduced by Reps. David Trone (D-MD) and Daniel Meuser (R-PA) and
provides grants to community organizations that provide support
services for families and family members living with substance use
disorders or addiction. When family members are empowered and supported
to help their loved one struggling with substance use disorder,
patients and families achieve better outcomes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that more
than 70,000 people died in the U.S. from an opioid overdose in 2019.
These numbers are projected to be higher in 2020, in part because of
the COVID pandemic. We have to do everything we can to address the
substance use disorder crisis by helping patients and their families. I
urge my colleagues to support this bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5572, 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. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution
965, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
will be postponed.
____________________