[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 11, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2160-H2161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADDICTION ACT OF 2021

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 433) to establish a grant program for family community 
organizations that provide support for individuals struggling with 
substance use disorder and their families.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 433

       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 ``Family Support Services for 
     Addiction Act of 2021''.

     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 2022 through 2026.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) 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. 433.
  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.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 433, the Family Support Services for 
Addiction Act of 2021.
  Addiction and substance use disorder are complex, yet diagnosable, 
treatable diseases. Families can play a significant role in helping an 
individual find treatment. Yet, there isn't a one-size-fits-all 
approach to making sure that loved ones receive the care they need and 
deserve. This, of course, can be a challenge to more than just the 
individual; it is a challenge to families as well.
  Madam Speaker, families across the United States are doing all they 
can to seek care for those they love. In fact, data from the Substance 
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reminds us that nearly 
20 million Americans live with a substance use disorder. Unfortunately, 
only a fraction of those Americans receives treatment.
  H.R. 433, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, builds upon 
congressional efforts, such as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery 
Act, 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.
  Part of paving a smooth road to recovery is providing evidence-based 
guidance for families and connecting them with other community support 
systems, which can dramatically influence an individual's trajectory. 
That is exactly what this bill sets out to do.
  The bill 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 would be able to use these grants 
to reduce stigma around substance use disorder and build connections 
between families and providers, and foster care services and other peer 
support services.
  I commend the lead sponsors of this legislation, Representatives 
Trone and Meuser, and their staff, for advocating for additional 
support for families.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I hope the Senate 
will act on it swiftly.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 433, the Family 
Support Services for Addiction Act of 2021, which was introduced by 
Representatives Trone and Meuser.
  This legislation would establish a grant program for family community 
organizations that provide evidence-informed and family-based 
approaches to substance use and addiction management.
  Family-based approaches have a record of success 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.

[[Page H2161]]

  This legislation would support family community organizations 
committed to pursuing evidence-driven interventions for substance use 
disorder, reducing the stigma of addiction and strengthening both 
families and communities through recovery.
  I would like to thank Representatives Trone and Meuser for the hard 
work that they have done to put together and to bring this important 
bill to the floor.
  Madam Speaker, 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), the author of this bill.
  Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 
433, the Family Support Services and Addiction Services Act.
  I introduced this bill with my friend and fellow businessman,  Dan 
Meuser, in order to show our support for the millions of families that 
are struggling to help their loved ones suffering from addiction.

                              {time}  1430

  In 2016, my nephew Ian lost his life to an overdose after years of 
struggling with addiction. But he didn't fight this battle alone. My 
wife and I were with him every step of the way, working to support his 
recovery efforts. Getting him the help he needed was hard for us to do, 
even with the resources we had at our disposal.
  Our story is not unique. For most families, it is nearly impossible 
to navigate our behavioral healthcare system, and COVID-19 has made it 
even harder.
  While our country faced an addiction crisis prior to COVID-19, the 
pandemic has made this crisis a five-alarm fire. Last year, more 
Americans died from drug overdoses than ever before, nearly 90,000 
Americans. That is a 29 percent increase in just one year. American 
families need help, and they need it now.
  This bipartisan bill provides the funding for nonprofits working with 
families struggling with addiction. The bill will provide grants to 
reach more families, create a more tailored approach, and save lives.
  I want to thank Congressman Meuser for his support and partnership. 
He has been an absolute champion on this issue.
  I also want to thank Chairman Pallone, Chairwoman Eshoo, and Ranking 
Member Rodgers for their laser-like focus on this issue.
  Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser).
  Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky, my 
good friend, Representative Guthrie; and my good friend from Maryland,  
 David Trone, for their work on this bill.
  Madam Speaker, the plight of addiction continues to affect 
communities across the country and in our great Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania. Substance use disorder, like any disease, doesn't just 
affect the individual. Their family, spouse, children, and friends also 
suffer alongside them, hoping for recovery. The critical support system 
they comprise is a potent tool in combatting addiction and an effective 
partner we should aim to empower.
  That is why this bill, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, 
is so essential and why I am truly very proud to be working with my 
good friend, Representative   David Trone, to see it become law. His 
commitment to this cause is impressive and honorable.
  Our bill provides grants for community organizations, providing 
critical support to families trying to navigate the complex insurance 
coverage and treatment options.
  Too often, this system overwhelms concerned families looking for the 
best option for their loved one. By passing this bill, we ensure more 
families will be connected to a lifesaving treatment option tailored to 
their needs.
  Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, this crisis has only become more acute 
during the pandemic. According to the CDC, 81,000 drug overdose deaths 
occurred between May 2019 and May 2020, the highest number recorded in 
a 12-month period. To combat this epidemic of drug use, we must use 
every tool we have; and the network of support that families provide is 
an essential tool to overcoming addiction and restoring our 
communities.
  I, again, want to thank Representative Trone for his work on this 
bill, on this very important issue; and the committee leaders for 
moving this much-needed measure to the floor today.
  Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared 
to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
for the purpose of closing.
  Madam Speaker, I really appreciate both the leaders of this bill and 
the entire House, as we have worked hard together in a bipartisan way 
over the years for the opioid abuse and other types of abuse and 
recovery efforts. This is an important bill and an additional step in 
that direction. We are fighting it, but we still have to continue the 
fight. This is an important bill. I support it, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it as well.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for 
the purpose of closing.
  Madam Speaker, I am sure we will notice as we go through the 
suspension calendar today that we have a number of bills that deal with 
addiction and behavioral health issues. This is Mental Health Month 
that we are observing today, and this is one of the bills that is a 
very important part of this group.
  Madam Speaker, I urge support on a bipartisan basis, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  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. 433.
  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. ROY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________