Ayotte Helps Secure $1 Billion to Combat Opioid Crisis

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte announced she successfully worked to include an unprecedented $1 billion in funding to fight the opioid crisis in the final agreement for the 21st Century Cures Act.

"I'm proud to have successfully fought for $1 billion in funding to assist New Hampshire and other states as they work to turn the tide of addiction. Throughout my time in the Senate, I have urged my colleagues to swiftly provide adequate funding to address the opioid crisis, including leading efforts to nearly double federal opioid funding and advocating for full funding for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act," said Ayotte. "This funding will go a long way toward supporting those struggling with addiction, health care and treatment providers, first responders and law enforcement, and the recovery community. We are facing the most pressing public health emergency of our time, and I urge my colleagues to support this life-saving legislation."

In the Senate, Ayotte has been a strong advocate for increased funding to better assist states' efforts to combat the opioid crisis, including co-authoring and introducing the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), and consistently supporting emergency funding for opioid programs. Ayotte also successfully fought for increased funding levels during the appropriations process for evidence-based initiatives called for under CARA, including an increase of 46% over Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 levels in December 2015 and this year, a 113% increase over FY2015 levels.

Source