Senate Dem touts millions for painkiller abuse in funding bill

Senate Health Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is championing millions of dollars in the “cromnibus” that would go toward fighting painkiller abuse.

Amidst a rising number of deaths caused by prescription drug overdoses around the country, Harkin helped secure $33 million in funding for government programs that would aim to prevent painkiller abuse and treat people who are addicted.

The painkiller package includes $20 million in funding for Centers for Disease Control efforts to fight prescription drug abuse at the state level. The funds will be used to target “high-use patients and inappropriate prescribing,” a Harkin aide told The Hill.

Another $12 million in funding will go to a branch in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand access to drug treatment programs.

The Health Resources and Services Administration will also receive more than $1 million funding for emergency devices that can be used to treat people who have overdosed on painkillers.