Legislation by U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus to broaden access to treatment for those with substance abuse disorders has passed the House as part of another bill.
Rothfus, R-12, Sewickley, introduced the Expanding Access to Treatment Act a little more than a month ago. He said it would “provide additional resources for federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to help offset the costs of training their clinicians to treat substance abuse disorders.”
On Tuesday, the Dr. Todd Graham Pain Management, Treatment and Recovery Act passed the House on a voice vote, and it included Rothfus’ legislation.
“Improving access to treatment is critical to fighting the opioid epidemic. It helps patients to break the cycle of abuse and move on a path to recovery,” Rothfus said in a statement.
Rothfus said his bill would help federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics have the necessary resources to combat the crisis. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.