Sweeping legislation to combat the opioids crisis hopped closer to President Trump’s desk Friday, as House lawmakers voted to expand Medicaid funding for treatment, spur the development of nonaddictive painkillers and empower inspectors to root out deadly fentanyl from overseas.
The bill cleared the chamber, 393-8, setting the stage for Senate action and Mr. Trump’s signature on a major bipartisan achievement in the final weeks before the mid-term elections.
Opioids overdoses killed nearly 49,000 people across the U.S. in 2017, a record amount that underscored Congress’ need to pass countermeasures.
Ebullient House members said it was a relief to link arms with the other side and address a problem for once, as senators across the Capitol feuded bitterly over Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.
“What a joy it is to be on the floor today. What a joy it is to be amongst a group of people that have set aside partisanship and have come together to address a crisis that is crushing our constituents,” Rep. Peter Roskam, Illinois Republican, said.
Congress has thrown more than $8 billion at the fight this year, though the package speeding to Mr. Trump turns the dials on policy and authorizes agencies like the National Institutes of Health to broaden addiction research by tapping existing accounts.
In a major change, the U.S. Postal Service will be forced to collect advanced electronic data on packages entering the U.S.
Private couriers like UPS and FedEx already procure advanced data, which U.S. Customs and Border Protection uses to target suspicious packages that might contain fentanyl from clandestine labs in China and elsewhere.
All packages from China, and 70 percent of the overall flow, must have the information available by the end of this year, and 100 percent global compliance is due by 2021.
The House and Senate previously acted on bills containing the measure, though negotiators had to smooth out differences in other areas of the legislation.
The final bill will let states lift an antiquated rule that had prevented large mental health treatment centers from claiming Medicaid dollars, hoping to create a new set of treatment options for those struggling with addiction.
Patients can seek treatment for any addiction — not just opioids or cocaine, as one earlier bill had proposed — though the waiver is only good for the next five years.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded Congress’ efforts, saying the drug crisis so bad it is chipping away at America’s work force and productivity.
“The opioid epidemic is ravaging families and destroying the lives of thousands each year, and it is crippling communities’ and employers’ efforts to staff workforce needs, create new jobs, and expand commerce,” chamber Senior Executive Vice President Suzanne Clark.
Campaign watchers say the opioids bill is unlikely to move the needle on Election Day, since both sides can claim victory and blaring headlines about Mr. Trump’s style will nudge it out of frame. Yet vulnerable incumbents in swing districts will be able to point to their contributions.
“In my district, this crisis has affected way too many. I’m also grateful that my bill … was included in the final package before us today,” said Rep. David Brat, Virginia Republican who cited his measure to assist children of drug-addicted parents. He is locked in a tight race against Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
Democrats fighting to retake the House in November said they supported the bill because it is “clearly helpful” but that reeling in the crisis will require more funding.
“These are all policies that have the potential to make a real impact on this epidemic. But our work here is not complete,” Rep. Frank Pallone, New Jersey Democrat. “We have to do a lot more. The opioid epidemic continues to get a lot worse.”
Some progressives, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, are calling for $100 billion over 10 years to beat back addiction.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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