September 29, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 169 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
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FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADDICTION ACT OF 2020; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 169
(House of Representatives - September 29, 2020)
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[Pages H5006-H5008] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADDICTION ACT OF 2020 Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5572) to establish a grant program for family community organizations that provide support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5572 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, [[Page H5007]] SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020''. SEC. 2. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290dd et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 553. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section-- ``(1) the term `family community organization' means an independent nonprofit organization that-- ``(A) mobilizes resources within and outside of the community of families with individuals living with addiction, to provide a support network, education, and evidence- informed tools for families and loved ones of individuals struggling with substance use disorders; and ``(B) is governed by experts in the field of addiction, which may include-- ``(i) experts in evidence-informed interventions for family members; ``(ii) experts in the impact of addiction on family systems; ``(iii) families who have experience with substance use disorders and addiction; and ``(iv) other experts in the field of addiction; and ``(2) the term `family support services' means resources or programs that support families that include an individual with substance use disorder. ``(b) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary shall award grants to family community organizations to enable such organizations to develop, expand, and enhance evidence- informed family support services. ``(c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the costs of a program funded by a grant under this section may not exceed 85 percent. ``(d) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under subsection (b)-- ``(1) shall be used to develop, expand, and enhance community and statewide evidence-informed family support services; and ``(2) may be used to-- ``(A) build connections between family support networks, including providing technical assistance between family community organizations and peer support networks, and with other family support services, focused on enhancing knowledge of evidence-informed interventions for family members and loved ones of individuals living with substance use disorders and reducing harm by educating service providers on current evidence regarding addiction and the family, including-- ``(i) behavioral health providers, including such providers focused specifically on family and couples therapy in the context of addiction; ``(ii) primary care providers; ``(iii) providers of foster care services or support services for grandparents, guardians, and other extended family impacted by addiction; and ``(iv) other family support services that connect to community resources for individuals with substance use disorders, including non-clinical community services; ``(B) reduce stigma associated with the family of individuals with substance use disorders by improving knowledge about addiction and its treatment, providing compassionate support, and dispelling myths that perpetuate such stigma; ``(C) conduct outreach on issues relating to substance use disorders and family support, which may include education, training, and resources with respect to-- ``(i) building a resilience- and strengths-based approach to prevention of, and living with, addiction in the family; ``(ii) identifying the signs of substance use disorder; ``(iii) adopting an approach that minimizes harm to all family members; and ``(iv) families of individuals with a substance use disorder, including with respect to-- ``(I) navigating the treatment and recovery systems; ``(II) paying for addiction treatment; ``(III) education about substance use disorder; and ``(IV) avoiding predatory treatment programs; and ``(D) connect families to evidence-informed peer support programs. ``(e) Data Reporting and Program Oversight.--With respect to a grant awarded under subsection (a), not later than 90 days after the end of the first year of the grant period, and annually thereafter for the duration of the grant period, the entity shall submit data, as appropriate and to the extent practicable, to the Secretary regarding-- ``(1) the programs and activities funded by the grant; ``(2) health outcomes of the population of individuals with a substance use disorder who received services through programs supported by the grant, as evaluated by an independent program evaluator through the use of outcomes measures, as determined by the Secretary; and ``(3) any other information that the secretary may require for the purpose of ensuring that the grant recipient is complying with all the requirements of the grant. ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey. General Leave Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5572. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Jersey? There was no objection. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5572, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020. According to new data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 20 million Americans live with a substance use disorder. While we are making progress in connecting Americans with treatment, the reality is that only a fraction of those Americans receives the care they really need. The Family Support Services for Addiction Act builds upon recent congressional efforts, such as the 21st Century Cures Act and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, to help close the treatment gap and get Americans on the road to recovery. We know that families can play a significant role in helping an individual find treatment, yet there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to ensuring a family member or loved one can get the care they need. We also know that substance use disorders affect more than just the individual. It affects the family in its entirety. Madam Speaker, as my colleagues and I heard during our hearings on this bill, getting families evidence-based guidance and connecting them with other community support systems can dramatically influence the trajectory of an individual's path to recovery. That is exactly what this bill sets out to do. H.R. 5572 would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to family community organizations that would work to develop, expand, and enhance evidence-based family support services. These family community organizations can use the grant to reduce stigma around substance use disorder and build connections between families and providers, foster care services, and other peer-support services. Madam Speaker, given the impact of this drug epidemic, chances are that many of us know someone--whether it be a loved one, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a classmate--who has a substance use disorder. And while we know that substance use disorders are complex, they are treatable. An individual's road to treatment can be driven by family supports encouraged through this legislation. I commend the lead sponsor of this legislation, Representative David Trone and also Representative Daniel Meuser, and their staff, for advocating for additional support for families. I also thank the Democratic and Republican members of our committee, as well as bipartisan committee staff, for working together to move this bill, and I hope the Senate will act on it swiftly. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5572, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, which was introduced by Representatives Trone and Meuser. This legislation would establish grant programs for family community organizations to provide evidence-informed and family-based approaches to substance use and addiction management. Family-based approaches have demonstrated stronger outcomes in substance use disorder recovery when compared with individual approaches, as they address several psychosocial dimensions of addiction and strengthen support networks for affected individuals. Madam Speaker, the legislation before us today supports family community organizations that are committed to pursuing evidence-based interventions for substance use disorder, reduce the stigma of addiction, and strengthen both families and communities through recovery. [[Page H5008]] Madam Speaker, I thank our two colleagues that sponsored this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone). Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to show my support for the millions of families struggling to help their loved ones suffering through addiction. My family fought to get help for my nephew, Ian, that he needed before he lost his life to an overdose in 2016. It was hard for us to do, even with the resources we had at our disposal. For most families, it is nearly impossible to navigate our behavioral health system in its current form. It is a confusing system that leaves families like mine with no clue what treatment option is right for their loved one. Now more than ever, families are on the front lines of this fight. Overdoses are on the rise across America, and COVID-19 is making matters much worse. Every single county in my district saw an increase in overdose deaths last quarter--some as much as 50 percent. And last year, more Americans died of drug overdoses than ever before--more than 70,000. Madam Speaker, that is why I introduced the Family Support Services for Addiction Act with Congressman Dan Meuser. This bipartisan bill provides for nonprofits working with families struggling with addiction. The bill will provide grants to reach more families, create more tailored treatments, and save more lives. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Meuser, Chairman Pallone, Chairwoman Eshoo, and Ranking Member Walden for this much-needed bill. We have got to get this done. Lives are depending on it. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation. Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser), one of the coauthors of this very, very important and meaningful legislation, who serves Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District in the U.S. House. Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, it is really my honor to be here today in support with Congressman Trone, and I thank him for his partnership and his leadership on this very important issue. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer support for our bill, H.R. 5572, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, which provides a family and community-based approach to addiction treatment that works to address the deep-seated effects of the addiction crisis on so many families. The opioid epidemic is ravaging my district and many States across America, and all of Pennsylvania is by no means an exception. In 2017, Pennsylvania experienced 5,456 drug-related overdose deaths. It has impacted virtually every family throughout the Commonwealth. Far too many families struggling with substance use disorder feel like they have nowhere to turn for the resources and very important information. {time} 1515 This bill would establish a grant program for family community organizations that provide support for families of individuals struggling with substance use disorder. These services can include information and referral sources, support groups, system navigation to assist the family in finding resources, parent training and education, specialized crisis support, and, really, much, much more, again, where they currently don't know where to turn. As a member of the Freshman Working Group on Addiction, I am very proud to be the Republican lead on a bill that takes critical steps to help families feel empowered and equipped to support their loved ones struggling with substance use disorder. I again want to very, very sincerely congratulate and thank Congressman David Trone for his hard work, his dedication, and his great care in helping those suffering from drug addiction. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I urge its swift passage. Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5572, the ``Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020.'' I'm proud to have advanced this bipartisan bill through my Health Subcommittee and I'm pleased to support it on the Floor today. H.R. 5572, the ``Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020'' was introduced by Reps. David Trone (D-MD) and Daniel Meuser (R-PA) and provides grants to community organizations that provide support services for families and family members living with substance use disorders or addiction. When family members are empowered and supported to help their loved one struggling with substance use disorder, patients and families achieve better outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that more than 70,000 people died in the U.S. from an opioid overdose in 2019. These numbers are projected to be higher in 2020, in part because of the COVID pandemic. We have to do everything we can to address the substance use disorder crisis by helping patients and their families. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5572, as amended. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________
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