No Confidence Vote –
October 24, 2019- The SUPPORT for Patient and Communities Act was a bipartisan bill that sought to curb the opioid epidemic by increasing access to behavioral and mental health providers, expanding resources for neonatal abstinence syndrome treatment and improving state prescription drug monitoring programs. Yet, 20 million Americans still suffer with substance use disorders, said Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Some are tricked into treatment at “sober homes” where they’re exploited and not given proper care, Grassley said. “The last thing you need when you’re suffering from this disease is yet more obstacles — rip-off artists, empty promises, or just out and out abuse… when all you want to do is get better,” said ranking member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). He described examples of “unscrupulous operators” who dangle hard-to-resist incentives in front of patients, such as travel and living expenses.
