Passage Should Be Followed by Quick Action to Adequately Fund the Law

Statement of Alice Dembner, Director of Community Catalyst’s Substance Use Disorders Project, on today’s passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) by the U.S. House of Representatives.

(BOSTON) — “Community Catalyst applauds the House of Representatives on today’s vote to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). We appreciate federal lawmakers’ commitment to addressing this public health problem, but we want to underscore the need for adequate funding to support this landmark legislation. Fueled by personal stories and crafted with extensive input from advocates and persons in recovery, CARA is the first comprehensive legislation to address addiction as a disease, not a moral failing.

“With CARA, Congress has given us a roadmap to tackle addiction through prevention, treatment and recovery supports, and engagement with law enforcement. Equally important is adequate funding to implement these strategies. We urge Congress to continue the current momentum and allocate the resources necessary to carry out the plan laid out by CARA.”

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About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable, quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.