Tokuda backs bipartisan bill to expand addiction treatment, prevention in rural areas

On Wednesday, US Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi’s second Congressional District voted in favor of bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal response to the opioid epidemic and expand access to treatment, prevention and recovery services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

“In Hawaiʻi and across the country, rural communities are facing growing mental health and substance use challenges, often with limited resources and support,” Tokuda said in a public statement Friday. “The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act makes critical investments in prevention, treatment, and recovery — meeting people where they are, especially in areas where access to care is a daily struggle. This bill is about saving lives, supporting families and giving every community, no matter how remote, a fair shot at healing and recovery.”

The bill passed the House with broad bipartisan support. The vote was 366-57.

Key highlights of the bill include:

• Reauthorizes and expands programs: Extends funding for substance use disorder treatment centers, safe drug disposal initiatives and coordination between public health laboratories and law enforcement.
• Addresses workforce development: Funds education and training grants to address shortages of professionals in substance use disorder treatment. 
• Improves access to treatment: Enhances Medicaid coverage for people battling addiction, supports new models of addiction care and funds treatment programs for special populations such as pregnant and postpartum women.
• Strengthen overdose prevention: Supports first responder training, naloxone distribution and efforts to reduce fentanyl and synthetic opioid overdoses.

Tokuda also submitted two amendments aimed at closing gaps of service:

1. Specialized Services for First Responders – Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a mental health program tailored specifically for first responders, providing 24/7 access to services, a dedicated hotline, outreach and peer support. The amendment is based on Tokuda’s own legislation, H.R. 6415, the CARE for First Responders Act, introduced in the 118^th Congress. 
2. Closing Gaps in Rural Addiction Services– Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to improve the collection and reporting of data on the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment and recovery initiatives in rural and frontier areas. 

The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act now moves to the Senate for consideration.