Foster Introduces Two Bills to Expand Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced two pieces of legislation to help expand access to treatment for substance use disorders: the Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act and the bipartisan Medicaid Coverage for Addiction Recovery Expansion (CARE) Act. 

The Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate and report on the capacity of outpatient and inpatient programs across the country, allowing additional recovery resources to be directed where they are needed most. 

The Medicaid Coverage for Addiction Recovery Expansion (CARE) Act would reverse an outdated policy that prevents Medicaid from paying for residential substance abuse care, thereby expanding access to intensive inpatient treatment for Medicaid recipients.

“The opioid epidemic has devastated families and communities in Illinois and across the nation for far too long,” said Foster. “Countless community groups, municipalities, and law enforcement officials are working to combat the opioid epidemic at the local level, but we must do more to support them. That's why I'm reintroducing two bills to help expand access to vital substance use disorder treatment.” 

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