Congress Should Act Quickly to Fund the Law

Statement from Alice Dembner, director of Community Catalyst’s Substance Use Disorders project, in response to President Obama signing the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) into law.

 

BOSTON – “Today, President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), following near unanimous votes in the U.S. House and Senate. The law authorizes an array of state and local grants that will ramp up efforts to prevent and treat addiction and offer essential supports to those in recovery.

“We commend Congress for taking action and offering solutions that recognize addiction as a treatable health condition, and not a criminal issue or a moral failing. While the focus of CARA is largely on the current opioid crisis, the impact will be far-reaching. The law activates crucial services and supports across the nation for anyone impacted by addiction.

“While we stand by this bill as an important step forward, the vision for CARA will not be realized until Congress approves the funding needed to carry out this national effort. We are eager to work with Congress this fall to urge swift action to fully fund the law so these new efforts to combat and treat addiction can be put into action.”

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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.