The U.S. House recently passed H.R. 2379, the “State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2021,” which was introduced by Reps. David Trone (D-MD) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ). The bill would amend the 21st Century Cures Act to authorize the State Opioid Response (SOR) Program and harmonize the uses of these grants with funding provided by SAMHSA. The bill would also require the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess how grant funding is allocated to states, state perspectives on funding levels, and how grant funding is awarded under similar programs. It would authorize to be appropriated $1,750,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2027, to remain available until expended. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 380-46.
- Ann Tucker