Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means Advance Opioid Bills

The House Energy and Commerce Committee today approved more than 20 bills to address the opioid crisis. Among other measures, the bills would require the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an action plan to address the opioid crisis; instruct the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to evaluate the use of telehealth services to treat substance use disorders; and would require state Children’s Health Insurance Programs to cover mental health benefits. The committee is continuing to mark up additional bills this afternoon. Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee approved its own package of bills to address the opioid crisis. Watch for a more detailed report on the bills passed in tomorrow’s AHA Today.