On Monday, with a vote of 99-1, the United States Senate passed its version of H.R. 6, a comprehensive amalgamation of 70 bills aimed at curbing the opioid epidemic. This bill will now need to be reconciled with the version passed by the House on June 22.
In addition including regulatory changes meant to increase access to addiction treatments, the bill would authorize grants to municipalities and to state and local groups taking actions to address the opioid crisis.
Included in the House-passed bill, but not in the Senate’s version, are provisions that would repeal Medicaid rules preventing that system from paying for in-patient care at treatment facilities with more than 16 beds.
Both versions include provisions that aim to prevent the shipment of opioids into our country from abroad.
We will keep you posted as the two Chambers proceed with reconciliation.
Contact: Jon Moran, Senior Legislative Analyst, jmoran@njslom.org, 609-695-3481, x121.