Capito, Tillis offer bill to fund drug treatments for pregnant, postpartum women

U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Dec. 7 unveiled a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize the grant programs that support residential treatment for pregnant and postpartum women suffering from substance use disorder.

“The introduction of this bipartisan legislation is a positive step towards ensuring substance use disorder treatments remain available for mothers who are struggling with addiction,” Senator Capito said.

“This legislation,” added Sen. Tillis, “will take a positive step in ensuring all moms and babies benefit from comprehensive, family-centric recovery and support services.”

The senators cosponsored the Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act, S. 3447, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and fellow original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).

If enacted, S. 3447 also would authorize funding to improve substance use disorder treatments, prevention and recovery support, parenting training, mental health counseling, and harm reduction interventions, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. 

Specifically, the measure would increase funding from $29.9 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to $38.9 million for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, according to the text of the bill.

“The impact that addiction can have on West Virginia’s mothers is devastating and puts the safety of our children at great risk,” said Sen. Capito. “Resources need to be available for pregnant and postpartum women to receive the treatment or training they need to lead healthy lives, both for themselves and their families.”

Sen. Tillis said he’s heard “heartbreaking stories” of families in North Carolina and across the country who have lost loved ones to substance use and overdoses.

“We owe it to future generations to address this unfolding crisis and save lives by increasing access to life-saving treatments, prevention and recovery support, and mental health counseling for pregnant and postpartum women struggling with substance use disorder,” Sen. Tillis said.

S. 3447, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, is supported by the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors.