SUPPORT Act passes the Senate

Abstract

It's been a long wait, but on September 18 the Senate passed the supported SUPPORT Act (H.R. 2483) by a voice vote, advancing the bill to President Trump to sign into law. The bill reauthorizes key prevention, treatment and recovery programs for patients with substance use disorder, including programs to support the behavioral health workforce. “The reauthorization process is an important one where Congress, the Administration, and stakeholders review federal programs and engage in a dialogue about their important role in helping states with prevention, treatment, and recovery programming and service delivery,” Rob Morrison, executive director and director for legislative affairs for the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Agency Directors, told ADAW. The SUPPORT Act reauthorizes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Reauthorizing the SUPPORT act is only half the equation,” said Andrew Kessler, principal with Slingshot Solutions, which advocates for behavioral health. “I'd like to see members of the House advocate for funding the programs contained therein as voraciously as they hail the passage of this legislation. Appropriations are what matter to the people in the field who are trying to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services to those in need.”