Elvira Salazar’s Mental Health bill Unanimously Passes

Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar’s (R) mental health and substance abuse bill has passed the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. H.R. 7234 has passed the subcommittee with unanimous consent as part of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act.

The bipartisan bill, introduced by Rep. Salazar and Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D), is called the Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act.

It’s named for a 2020 overdose victim, and the legislation reauthorizes more than $900 million in funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), which would support the country’s fight against the substance use disorder epidemic.

According to the New York Times, “deaths from drug overdoses continued rising to record-breaking levels in 2021, nearing 108,000, according to preliminary new data published on Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

It’s also been reported that “the increase of nearly 15% followed a much steeper rise of almost 30% in 2020, an unrelenting crisis that has consumed federal and state drug policy officials.”

Rep. Elvira Salazar provided a statement after the passing of the legislation, saying that “homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse are significant issues for South Florida, and Congress must confront these issues and the challenges they present.”

“I’m very proud to see bipartisan support for this important bill, which will authorize grants to better equip community partners to assist those in need,” she added, affirm that “it is time to provide the full range of tools available to save lives, improve health, and keep families together.”

As per a press release from Elvira Salazar, “key programs funded by the legislation address overdose prevention, first responder training, homeless assistance, pregnant and postpartum women substance-use-disorder treatment, and alternatives to opioids in emergency rooms.”