WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed one of the most significant bipartisan measures to combat a single drug crisis in the nation's history, called the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6). U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) supported the bill to advance treatment and recovery initiatives, improve prevention, protect our communities and bolster efforts to fight deadly synthetic drugs, like fentanyl. It includes Medicaid, Medicare and public health reform to help patients and families get the help they need. 

"Our families and communities desperately need additional support to help individuals who are battling an opioid addiction. This comprehensive bill combines multiple initiatives to ensure patients can access the treatment and recovery resources they need to overcome the strongholds of drug addiction," said Rogers, co-founding co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse. "In 2016, more than 1,400 Kentuckians suffered a deadly drug overdose. This bill will provide hope and much-needed help to save lives and curb the tide of this heartbreaking crisis."

Two bills cosponsored by Rep. Rogers were included in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. The Treating Barriers to Prosperity Act will expand the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) efforts to combat the deadly drug abuse epidemic in the Appalachian region, where the opioid-related overdose rate is 65% higher than the rest of the nation. The Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act offers student loan repayment of up to $250,000 for students who agree to work as a substance use disorder treatment professional in areas most in need of their services. Both bills were previously approved by the House, strengthening the holistic efforts of H.R. 6.

Earlier this year, Congress also approved $4 billion in federal funding to address the nation's deadly drug abuse epidemic. 

For more information about federal efforts to fight the nation's drug abuse epidemic, visit OpioidCrisis.gop.

Click here for a full summary of H.R. 6.

Click here to read the full text of H.R. 6.