In full transparency, the following is a media release from Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office. She was elected by voters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to serve the state in Washington DC in the US Senate. She is a Democrat. (stock photo)
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WASHINGTON DC – Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.C.), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, along with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Representatives Ann Kuster (D-N.H.), and David Trone (D-Md.) today led over 100 democrats in the Senate and House in reintroducing the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, the most ambitious legislation ever introduced in Congress to confront the substance use epidemic.
Endorsed by over 175 organizations, Senator Warren and Chairwoman Maloney’s CARE Act would provide state and local governments with $125 billion in federal funding over ten years, including nearly $1 billion per year directly to tribal governments and organizations.
The CARE Act is the most ambitious legislation of its kind in Congress and would allocate $125 billion over 10 years to defeat the substance use crisis, Massachusetts would receive more than $130 million annually to combat the crisis
The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and over 98 members of the House of Representatives.
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Originally introduced in 2018 by Senator Warren and the late Representative Elijah E. Cummings, the updated CARE Act of 2021 addresses the substance use disorder crisis, including, but not limited to, the opioid epidemic.
“For too long state and local leaders, health officials, and first responders in Massachusetts and across the country have been forced to shoulder the burden of the substance use disorder crisis,” said Senator Warren. “It is time for the federal government to address this crisis head on by enacting comprehensive legislation to make sure everyone who needs treatment for a substance use disorder is able to get it—whether they live in the largest cities, in rural or suburban areas, on tribal lands, or anywhere else in the United States.”
“Too many families across this country have been devastated by America’s addiction crisis, which has gotten worse during the coronavirus pandemic. Now more than ever, the federal government must step up and provide our communities with the sustained funding they need to expand treatment access and turn the tide on this epidemic,” said House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “This critical legislation will deliver essential resources to those on the frontlines of this crisis, in order to prevent future tragedies and save lives.”
“The opioid epidemic and substance abuse crisis continues to touch every community across Wisconsin and the country, and the COVID pandemic has only made it worse,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I support taking action with the CARE Act, which will deliver a sustained funding source for our local and state partners to support prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. This is bold action that will help address this public health crisis and save lives.”
“While we have taken tremendous steps forward to address the addiction and substance use epidemic in New Hampshire and throughout the country, this crisis has persisted – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Kuster, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. “That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the CARE Act, ambitious legislation to expand access to treatment and create sustained, targeted funding to finally turn the tide on this crisis.”
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ââ“The opioid epidemic has taken hold of communities in every corner of the country. Even still, the treatment between substance use disorder and other diseases such as cancer couldn’t be more different,” said Congressman David Trone, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. “The CARE Act meets the moment by providing crucial funding to not only treat addiction but also prevent the disease in the first place. We must achieve parity in how we treat addiction in America. This bill is a step in the right direction.
“The opioid epidemic has wreaked havoc on families across Maryland. The ongoing rise in overdose deaths is a tragedy that hurts communities across our state and our nation and it has only gotten worse, which is why we must address it with an ambitious solution like the CARE Act,” said Senator Van Hollen. “The CARE Act makes historic investments in overdose response, addiction treatment, and recovery-to-employment initiatives, with a focus on the hardest-hit places that need these resources the most. This plan will help us mount a serious response to the extensive scale of this decades-long crisis.”
“Every day, families across Minnesota and the country lose loved ones to addiction,” Senator Klobuchar said. “This legislation will give Americans access to vital treatment and recovery services and support research on prevention of substance use disorders. We must continue to address this public health emergency and provide assistance to the millions of Americans and families who are suffering.”
“It is long past time to address the opioid crisis and hold pharmaceutical companies responsible for the destruction they caused,” said Senator Sanders. “In order to take on this crisis, we must focus on treatment and prevention. We cannot continue to treat the people struggling with the disease of addiction as criminals. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill to help with this fight.”
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“Too many lives and too many families continue to be upended by the epidemic of opioid overdose deaths and the burden of opioid use disorder. We must make these critical investments in public health and harm reduction efforts that will save lives and help bring healing and hope to people in need,” said Senator Markey.
“This bill is a historic investment in families and individuals on the front lines of the opioid epidemic,” said Senator Blumenthal. “The public health crisis has claimed 500,000 lives during the last two decades and demands additional resources for behavioral health and substance use disorder services. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues on the CARE Act as we fight the scourge of addiction and help our loved ones on the path to recovery.”
“The isolation and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the nation’s opioid epidemic – we must respond to this serious public health emergency with the urgency it demands,” said Senator Padilla. “We can no longer stand by as millions of Americans suffer silently with substance abuse disorders and addiction. I am proud to support this lifesaving legislation that provides funding for proven, evidence-based treatments for our most at-need communities struggling with addiction.”
“We need to address the opioid epidemic with the seriousness and resources it demands,” said Senator Smith. “This bill takes an important step forward in ensuring that Minnesotans from rural areas, to small towns and cities, and Tribal communities can all access the resources they need to address the opioid crisis, as well as other mental and behavioral health crises.”
“Addiction isn’t an individual problem or a character flaw, it’s a disease – a disease that all too often starts in the family medicine cabinet,” said Senator Brown. “In Ohio, where the ongoing pandemic has only exacerbated the addiction crisis, we need to make sure that local communities have the resources they need to invest in prevention and treatment. This bill will provide those necessary resources to millions of families in Ohio and across the country.”
“COVID hasn’t been the only disease terrorizing American families the last two years,” said Senator Merkley, “addiction is ravaging our communities. The Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act (CARE) Act will help provide sustained funding to states, territories, tribal nations and local communities disproportionately affected by substance use disorders. This bill is an important step in providing support, funding, and solutions for individuals and families struggling with substance addiction in America.”
Last year, approximately 275 Americans died each day from a drug overdose while the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated our nation’s mental health and substance use disorder crises. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses between May 2020 and May 2021, an increase of more than 20 percent over the previous year.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that 40.3 million people reported suffering from substance use disorder in the past year. Despite the critical need for substance use disorder services, only about 6.5% of those in need of specialty treatment for substance use disorders were able to access it in 2020.
This is not the first time we have faced a public health crisis of this scale. During the 1980s and 1990s, deaths from HIV/AIDS grew rapidly, and the country’s medical system was ill-equipped to provide effective, evidence-based care. In 1990, Congress passed the bipartisan Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (Ryan White Act) to provide funding to help state and local governments, and community-based organizations, combat this epidemic.
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The CARE Act is modeled directly on the Ryan White Act, supporting local decision-making and programs to expand access to evidence-based treatments and recovery support services. The CARE Act also recognizes the need for expanded mental health supports, early intervention, and harm reduction tactics.
The CARE Act would provide $125 billion over ten years to fight this crisis, including:
- $4.6 billion per year to states, territories, and tribal governments, including $2.3 billion to states with the highest levels of overdoses and $1.84 billion through competitive grants.
- $3.3 billion per year to the hardest hit counties and cities, including $1.75 billion to counties and cities with the highest levels of overdoses and $1.22 billion through competitive grants.
- $2 billion per year for public health surveillance, biomedical research, and improved training for health professionals, including $1 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $500 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and regional tribal epidemiology centers, and $500 million to train and provide technical assistance to professionals treating substance use disorders;
- $1.6 billion per year to support expanded and innovative service delivery, including $1 billion for public and nonprofit entities, $500 million for projects of national significance that provide treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services, $50 million to help workers with or at risk for substance use disorders maintain and gain employment, and $50 million to expand treatment provider capacity; and
- $1 billion per year to expand access to overdose reversal drugs (Naloxone) and provide this life-saving medicine to states for distribution to first responders, public health departments, and the public.
Of the total funding, the CARE Act would invest nearly $1 billion a year provided directly to tribal governments and organizations, including:
- $790 million per year for grants to tribal governments to help fight this crisis and invest in substance use prevention and treatment;
- $7.5 million in additional funding for tribal nations and regional tribal epidemiology centers to improve data collection on overdoses;
- 50 million a year to Tribal Colleges and Universities, Indian Health Service-funded organizations, and medical training programs that partner with tribal nations and tribal organizations to train Native health professionals to improve substance use disorder treatment services;
- $150 million a year in funding to Native non-profits and clinics, including to urban Indian organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and projects designed to test innovative service delivery and culturally-informed care models to tackle addiction; and
- $1 billion per year to expand access to the overdose reversal drug Naloxone and provide this life-saving medicine to states to distribute to tribal nations, first responders, public health departments, and the public.
Under the CARE Act of 2021, Massachusetts would receive an estimated $132.3 million annually over ten years, with $56.6 million in state formula grants and $75.7 million distributed among the counties.
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“I’m thrilled to hear that Senator Warren and Chairwoman Maloney are re-introducing the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act. Our Commonwealth continues to experience the ravages of the opioid crisis and this critical legislation would deliver to western Massachusetts the resources needed to combat the opioid epidemic and support constituents in recovery,” said Massachusetts State Senator Jo Comerford.
“Too many Cape Codders and Islanders have struggled with substance use disorder in isolation, distanced from family, friends and support networks, and COVID-19 has only exacerbated the challenges of living with addiction,” said Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery. “I enthusiastically endorse the CARE Act. This federal legislation relies on best practices in our response to HIV/AIDS — the second pandemic of our era. The CARE Act would bring crucial resources to every corner of our nation through an evidence-based model that will save lives.”
Mayor Paul Coogan, City of Fall River, Massachusetts would like to offer his support for the re-introduction of the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. These funds would be a tremendous asset to the City of Fall River and the entire Commonwealth as we continue to fight the opioid epidemic within our City and State.
“I fully support the Comprehensive Addiction Resource Emergency (CARE) Act proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney. This bill will provide much needed Federal funding to tackle the opioid epidemic sweeping across our communities and is particularly important as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and the added stress it has brought to those already living with mental health and substance addiction challenges. The CARE Act will support local decision-making, federal research, and programs to prevent substance use disorder, while expanding access to evidence-based treatments and recovery support services.” said Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, City of Salem, Massachusetts.
“This money will help individuals and their families get out of the talons that addiction grabs people with, get back on their feet, and get their lives back in order. We know this legislation and funding will make a difference in the lives of millions of people. On behalf of the nearly 48,000 people in Attleboro, I thank you for your hard work, thoughtfulness and advocacy for real needs in the CARE Act,” wrote Mayor Paul Heroux, City of Attleboro, Massachusetts. Full letter can be found here.
“As the Mayor of Easthampton, Massachusetts, I thank you for re-introducing the CARE Act and recognizing a pandemic pre-dating COVID, substance abuse disorders.The CARE Act provides funding directly to municipalities that can then address very specific local challenges to help those crippled and quite often shamed by their condition(s). This act allows cities to build trust back literally on Main Street with shared respect and dignity in a time of little faith,” wrote Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, City of Easthampton, Massachusetts. Full letter can be found here.
“With the pandemic having exacerbated the mental health and substance abuse challenges facing our nation, the robust federal partnership envisioned under the CARE Act could not come at a more opportune moment. The tools and resources made available under the Act will make a real difference in countless lives, and I urge federal policymakers to meet the moment head on by passing this valuable legislation,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell, City of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
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“Substance use is a very serious public health issue and can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Various factors like genetics, environment, development, and past trauma, can all contribute to misuse and a substance use disorder diagnosis. Thankfully, substance use disorder is preventable. Prevention is part of the overall behavioral healthcare system, addresses root causes and can stop addiction before it starts. Prevention is a cost effective way to introduce and promote protective factors through education and school and community programs. The resources included in this legislation will not only provide the tools to help those struggling with addition when they need it the most, but also help us find new ways to curb the impacts of the opioid epidemic that has struck almost everyone across our nation in recent years,” said Mayor Michael J. Nicholson, City of Gardner, Massachusetts.
“The effects of the opioid crisis have been felt by every family, in every town, in every state in America. No one has come out of this epidemic unscathed or unscarred,” said Mayor Joseph M. Petty, City of Worcester, Massachusetts. “We see this reflected not just in our overdose and death numbers but in the number of Narcan doses administered, our level of homelessness and our crime numbers. The CARE Act would bring much needed federal funding down to the local level and allow communities to address the myriad of concerns that the opioid epidemic has brought about.”
“As the COVID-19 pandemic raged, the overdose epidemic continued unabated. Overdose death remains a critical public health crisis that must be given top priority at all levels of government. Since the COVID pandemic began, more than 100,000 American lives have been lost to overdose. The CARE Act funding would go a long way toward providing the vital resources necessary to save lives in our communities, and I am extremely grateful to Senator Warren and Chairwoman Maloney for their tireless efforts to recognize the need,” said Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken, City of Gloucester, Massachusetts.
“I applaud Senator Warren’s continued leadership and advocacy on this very important issue. In order for local municipalities and all of our local, state and regional public and private partners to effectively work together to address, prevent, educate and treat substance use, especially the opioid crisis, which has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, we need this much-needed federal funding and initiatives. This funding would go a long way in helping to save lives and getting people the treatment, support and outreach they need,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno, City of Springfield, Massachusetts.
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“I believe the CARE Act is an important tool to resource these local efforts while also investing in federal research. THe combination of formula funding and competitive grant programs will ensure targeted resources to communities that need it most while allowing for innovation in service provision. I enthusiastically support the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act and the resources it will provide for the City of Brockton, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the nation,” wrote Mayor Robert F. Sullivan, City of Brockton, Massachusetts. Full letter can be found here.
“As Mayor of the City of Pittsfield, the capital seat of Berkshire County, I am writing to extend my full support toward the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. This proposed federal legislation has the potential to provide critical and much-needed resources to assist communities across the country which are dealing with the significant impacts of mental health and substance use disorders. In the City of Pittsfield, and throughout the Berkshires, we have seen firsthand how these dual epidemics has ravaged the health and well-being of our community members, creating devastating ripples of turmoil in the lives of their family, friends, and loved ones. CARE Act funding is crucial to addressing these complex and layered issues with tangible, strategic, and sustainable initiatives and systems of support,” said Mayor Linda Tyer, City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
“I support the Cares Act bill. This bill will bring much needed resources to an underserved population that desperately needs the help. Fresh Start goal is to stopping the Trauma, to substance, prison, homicide, suicide pipeline and the passing of this bill, will help us continue our mission in doing that,” said Derrick Kiser, Ceo and founder of Fresh Start Wellness Center.
“In greater Worcester and central Massachusetts, the twin crises of mental health and substance abuse have worsened in recent years for the people we serve at Dismas House – homeless and former offenders. Deploying new substance abuse resources, peer supports, recovery support, and housing will help struggling community-based agencies in the fight against overdoses, and the fight for a better quality of life for our hardest hit neighborhoods. The CARE Act in particular promises to make the needed investments to build pathways of support for people in need in our communities, who face these struggles,” said Dave McMahon, Co-Executive Director, Dismas House of Massachusetts.
The substance use disorder crisis is devastating communities across the nation — but it has a particularly severe impact on Native people. CDC data show that drug overdose death rates for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in nonmetropolitan areas increased by 500% between 1999 and 2015, with American Indians and Alaska Natives suffering a greater increase in deaths over those years compared to any other demographic. And in 2019, American Indians and Alaska Natives had a higher drug overdose death rate than any other demographic (30 per 100,000). Yet, it is known that overdose deaths of Native people are under-reported.
In spite of the harm that the opioid crisis brings to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, tribal governments — which are often required to work with state governments in order to obtain federal funds — have struggled to access the resources they need to combat the epidemic. The CARE Act would provide nearly $1 billion per year directly to tribal governments and organizations to address this crisis.
“NIHB applauds your efforts in the CARE Act to recognize the federal trust responsibility and the urgent need to prevent and treat substance and opioid abuse and overdose in Indian Country. We stand ready to work with you in further refining the legislation as it moves through Congress. Thank you for your continued dedication to addressing the health disparities in Indian Country,” wrote Stacy A. Bohlen, Chief Executive Officer, National Indian Health Board. Full letter can be found here.
“In total, this bill would provide approximately $1 billion annually over a period of ten years directly to Indian Country to address the disproportionate impacts opioid abuse and addiction is having in our communities. This level of funding and its method of delivery are reflective of a strong commitment to recognizing our governmental status and the unique relationship between the federal government and Tribal Nations,” wrote President Kirk Francis and Executive Director Kitcki Carroll, United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF). Full letter can be found here.
“Senators Warren, Maloney, Baldwin and Representatives Kuster and Trone, and their teams worked with Indian Country in order to redraft the Bill to better meet the specific and unique needs of Tribal Nations. The Bill as it’s been re-drafted is an attempt to resolve many of those challenges that hampered Tribes’ ability to address this crisis in our own Communities. I support their efforts and this Bill, and encourage the quick passage of the Bill to help us combat the devastating effects that substance use, mise-use, abuse and addiction inflicts on our Tribal Families and Communities,” wrote Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah. Full letter can be found here.
“To address our rising concerns, the CARE Act will support Native communities throughout the country that have been disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic. This legislation justly upholds the Federal Trust responsibility by providing direct funding to tribes and urban Indian organizations that are leading the response on this crisis. Specifically, the CARE act supports early interventions for patients of urban Indian organizations. To address Native communities’ unique circumstances, the bill supports conferring with tribes and urban Indian organizations to develop and implement strategies that improve surveillance and reporting of fatal overdose deaths among American Indian and Alaska Native people. Furthermore, the bill is inclusive of urban Indian organizations eligibility on the SUD treatment and services council supporting an equity-based approach,” wrote Esther Lucero (Diné), President & CEO, and Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee), Executive Vice President and Urban Indian Health Institute Director, of Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB). Full letter can be found here.
“Our sense of urgency is acute, and it is critical that funding directed to prevention and treatment finds its way to AI/AN communities. We are gratified to (see) that the CARE Act intentionally addresses shortfalls that often leave tribal and Urban Indian communities behind. This legislation would provide funding directly to tribes and local governments, with increased funding to hard hit cities like Baltimore and Boston. Importantly, this legislation expands access to overdose reversal drugs like Naloxone, getting it into the hands and homes where it’s needed most. Furthermore, explicit inclusion of Urban Indian health facilities in the bill’s language ensures access, visibility, and voice in crucial areas like grant funding and planning councils,” wrote Kerry Hawk Lessard, Executive Director of Native American LifeLines, a Title V Urban Indian Health Program. Full letter can be found here.
“Many times critical funding, even when appropriated in equitable amounts, does not reach across AI/AN urban communities, largely in part because when urban Indians are not specifically mentioned in legislative language they are most often excluded or forced to prove their eligibility under the intent of the laws created. NCUIH appreciates that the CARE Act has detailed specific language that ensures urban Indian organizations are listed as an eligible entity in this important legislative act,” wrote Francys Crevier, CEO of the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH). Full letter can be found here.
“Mahalo to Senator Warren and Congresswoman Maloney for being steadfast and inclusive leaders in the fight against the opioid epidemic. We appreciate the incorporation of Native Hawaiian-specific provisions as it ensures the community has a voice and access as it works to improve their overall health and well-being,” said Dr. Sheri Ann Daniels, Executive Director of Papa Ola Lokahi.
The legislation has been endorsed by over 175 national, local, and tribal organizations. You can view the full list here.
“We cannot afford to ignore the other pandemic raging in our communities. Drug overdoses have taken over 100,000 lives this year — the most ever,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “The CARE Act will invest critical funding in addiction treatment centers, and it would provide the tools that will allow our essential behavioral health workers to fight this overdose crisis. We urge Congress to pass this important legislation and give our everyday heroes the resources and the voice on the job they need to improve care and save lives.”
“This Act will provide the opportunity to change the lives of those living with substance use disorder, increase peoples’ ability to enter treatment, reach our communities hardest hit by the pandemic, and provide meaningful access to the treatment and resources they need and deserve. It is for the reasons listed above that LIFT adamantly supports the CARE Act, and strongly encourage everyone to support this landmark legislation,” wrote Nicole Bell, Survivor, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Living in Freedom Together (LIFT). Full letter can be found here.
“These drug overdoses are tragic and preventable. The CARE Act contains many provisions to implement solutions we know work to prevent these unnecessary deaths. Expanding access to Naloxone reduces overdose fatalities.2 Providing funding directly to the communities most impacted by this epidemic, especially our tribal communities, is important to ensure solutions are tailored to address community-specific issues. NSC also supports increasing funding for research into substance use disorders (SUD), public health surveillance and improved training of health care providers treating individuals with SUDs,” wrote Lorraine M. Martin, President and CEO of The National Safety Council (NSC). Full letter can be found here.
“As you well know, Massachusetts and the United States are in the midst of an unprecedented opioid overdose crisis. In 2020, Massachusetts lost 2,106 individuals from opioid-related overdoses, reaching a peak that had previously only been seen in 2016. While the treatment community is grateful for the continued commitment of Congress to address addiction, our service needs consistently outpace our capacity. A historically low-resourced sector, the behavioral health system continues to be strained by the enormity and urgency of its needs. This legislation would make a significant difference in access to addiction treatment services for individuals and families living with substance use disorders. It provides $125 billion in federal funding over ten years to support and expand treatment and recovery services, federal research and prevention programming,” wrote Lydia Conley, President and CEO of Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH). Full letter can be found here.
Substance use by expecting moms can have an adverse effect on the baby and can lead to a condition known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which usually results in babies having withdrawal symptoms from drugs (including prescribed opioids) after birth. In addition, substance use during pregnancy, even if it’s a prescription, can lead to miscarriages, preterm births, and birth defects. That is why March of Dimes proudly supports your legislation, as it would provide critical investments to the most affected families and communities, as well as increase access to life-saving surveillance, training, treatment and recovery programs, and overdose reversal drugs. It would also incentivize states to use Medicaid funding to cover the costs of treatment, and create a new grant program to support at-risk parents struggling with addiction to maintain or find employment while they are in treatment and recovery,” wrote Stacey Y. Brayboy, Sr. Vice President of the March of Dimes. Full letter can be found here.
“This legislation offers increased access to treatment and will improve care for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). The demand for access for mental health and addiction services has increased dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic and has reached the level of a public health crisis. The CARE Act delivers significant funding and resources to state and local governments efforts to combat SUDs as well as advance federal research and programs to expand access to evidence-based treatments and recovery support services. We appreciate your leadership on this issue and applaud your efforts,” wrote George Abraham, President American College of Physicians (ACP). Full letter can be found here.
“Fighting the opioid misuse and substance use disorder crisis is one of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s top public health priorities. The CARE Act is a well-designed bill that will provide a comprehensive array of services to those who are most at risk. This legislation is particularly important now, as the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated our nation’s struggle with substance use disorder, a chronic illness that continues to take lives, destroy families and communities, and is disproportionately cruel and deadly to underserved populations. Providing ample and sustainable funding for resources, such as expanded access to treatment at the local level as outlined in this bill, is an imperative action we can take toward a targeted public-health approach to reduce harm and save lives,” wrote Dr. Carole Allen, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society. Full letter can be found here.
“The passage of the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 was an important first step to creating necessary substance abuse programs and begin addressing prevention and trauma from the opioid overdose crisis. Now, more action is needed to ensure those affected by trauma and substance abuse have the support they need. At a time when the opioid overdose epidemic poses a serious threat to the stability and wellbeing of families and communities across the country, the CARE Act can provide much needed resources to those that have been impacted by this crisis, and continue the journey to ending the epidemic,” wrote Nia West-Bey, Director of Youth Policy, and Isha Weerasinghe, Senior Policy Analyst, of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). Full letter can be found here.
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