Press Releases

Yesterday, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Act (H.R. 4899), which enhances the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s ability to provide substance abuse treatment.

“The opioid epidemic has devastated communities across Pennsylvania and our entire nation. According to the CDC, Pennsylvania had the country’s fourth highest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2016,” said Rep. Cartwright. “Effective substance abuse treatments already exist. By making such treatments available to Americans who need it, this legislation protects these impacted communities and uses federal tax dollars more efficiently.”

The Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Act would authorize HHS to:

• Offer grants to increase the availability of drug treatment;
• Provide vouchers to individuals in underserved populations for treatment; and
• Establish programs to coordinate and provide community-based services such as job training and housing assistance.