Congress passed legislation last week that will go a long way toward fighting opioid abuse.
As The Rural Blog reports, the law will increase funding for medical research and speed up federal approval of new drugs that will help Americans struggling with addiction.
The bill now heads to President Obama’s desk. The president praised the law, saying “We are now one step closer to . . . helping people seeking treatment for opioid addiction finally get the help they need.”
The legislation provides $1 billion for the heroin and opioid epidemics. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was thrilled with the law, saying it’s much needed in rural areas. The measure is one of the most significant pieces of mental health care legislation in years.
However, some in Congress were unhappy with the measure. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Jeff Merkley of Oregon called the bill a giveaway to pharmaceutical companies.
