Senator Collins Lauds Passage of Bill to Support Americans with Substance Use Disorder, Mental Illness

The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, containing several provisions authored by Senator Collins, heads to the President's desk

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate passed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan bill that strengthens prevention, treatment, and recovery services for Americans with substance use disorders and mental illness. The legislation now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"The opioid and mental health crises are tearing apart families and communities across our country, including in the State of Maine. This bill provides communities with the tools they need to help those struggling with addiction and mental illness," said Senator Collins. "I'd like to congratulate my friend and colleague Senator Cassidy for his leadership that was instrumental in getting this bill passed. I'm especially proud that several of my provisions, which support recovery, research, maternal and child health, and loan repayment for substance use disorder professionals, are included in this reauthorization."

Several provisions championed by Senator Collins that will directly benefit Mainers are included in the final bill:

• Peer Support Services Center of Excellence: Reauthorizes the National Peer-Run Training and Technical Assistance Center for Addiction Recovery Support, which Senator Collins created in 2018. The Center helps recovery organizations and peer networks across the country and now includes a pilot program to provide additional technical support in specific regions. Senator Collins created the National Peer-Run Training and Technical Assistance Center, which was inspired by the work of the Bangor Area Recovery Network in Brewer, as part of the original SUPPORT Act.

• Medication Assisted Treatment and Education Act Technical Correction: Updates training requirements for opioid prescribers, ensuring that professionals such as dentists, family physicians, and other clinicians are not required to repeat duplicative or irrelevant continuing education courses.

• Maternal and Child Health Programs: Reauthorizes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs to prevent substance use disorders among pregnant and postpartum women. These programs are critical in addressing neonatal abstinence syndrome in Maine and supporting the health of mothers and infants.

• Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment: Extends the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) STAR Loan Repayment Program through fiscal year 2029, increasing funding from $25 million to $40 million. This program offers loan repayment for substance use disorder professionals who agree to serve in underserved areas with overdose rates, including at hospitals and facilities in Maine.

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Programs: Reauthorizes federal programs under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that support prevention, early identification, intervention, and research on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

• Communities of Recovery Grant Program: Expands the Building Communities of Recovery grant program, increasing funding from $5 million to $16 million annually to strengthen recovery services.

The SUPPORT Act also strengthens workforce training for first responders, protects the 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention Lifeline from cybersecurity threats, and helps individuals in recovery reenter the workforce.

Senator Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured more than $23 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs and facilities in Maine through the Fiscal Year 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill.

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