Sponsor
Bill Foster
Representative · D-IL
Representative · D-IL
The bill expands access to evidence-based opioid treatment for uninsured and undercovered people and strengthens state programs through funding and evaluation, but it restricts eligibility and treatment duration, imposes reporting requirements, and diverts a small share of funds away from direct services.
Uninsured people and those whose plans restrict addiction care gain access to evidence-based opioid treatment (including medication-assisted treatment) through new federal grants.
State governments and health systems receive federal funding, technical assistance, and program coordination support—plus public reporting and federal evaluation—to expand availability, consistency, and quality of opioid treatment programs.
People needing longer-term treatment may lose continuity of care because grant-funded services cannot cover more than 60 consecutive days per person.
Insured people with coverage gaps (including some Medicaid beneficiaries) are excluded from these grants, leaving many dependent on insurers' policies for addiction care.
States and providers must collect and report detailed treatment and outcome data, creating additional administrative burden and costs for health systems and state programs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes federal grants to states to expand evidence‑based opioid treatment for uninsured people or those with insurance barriers, with reporting and evaluation requirements and a 60‑day subsidy cap.
Official title: To authorize the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, acting through the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, to award grants to States to expand access to clinically appropriate services for opioid abuse, dependence, or addiction.
Introduced July 14, 2026 by Bill Foster · Last progress July 14, 2026
Provides federal grants to states to expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder for people who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover needed services. Grants must be run by each state's primary substance-abuse agency, fund clinically appropriate services (including medication‑assisted treatment), follow clinician recommendations on level and duration of care, and limit federal subsidy to no more than 60 consecutive days per person. Requires states to report outcome measures and treatment details; directs the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use (via CSAT) to evaluate grant activities, publish results publicly and to Congress, and provide technical assistance. Up to 5% of annual funds are reserved for evaluation, dissemination, and technical assistance, and the program permits use of FDA‑approved medications offered consistent with consumer choice.