Opioid Crisis Proposals and Funding

In 2016, through the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and the 21st Century Cures Act, Congress authorized roughly $1.4 billion in spending to combat the opioid crisis. Specifically, the Cures Act awarded $500 million in grants to states for both Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 and FY 2018 to supplement their efforts addressing opioid abuse. However, funding for provisions of CARA and for the FY 2018 state opioid grants under the 21st Century Cures Act were not secured and subject to the FY 2018 appropriations bill.

Building on the funding provided through CARA and the Cures Act, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 on Feb. 9, 2018. The bill authorizes $6 billion to address the opioid crisis and improve mental health care — with $3 billion for FY 2018 and $3 billion for FY 2019. Funds are intended to enhance state grants, prevention programs, and law enforcement activities related to substance use and mental health programs.

In this memorandum, Holland & Knight provides a comprehensive overview of these proposals and funding.