Latest News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), who serves as the Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, successfully advanced his Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Act of 2022 and Pre-approval Information Exchange Act. The two bills were voted favorably out of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee in a markup today. 

“The urgent need for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support resources is underscored by a new record high number of drug overdose deaths in our country. I’m pleased this bill that will deliver these resources is one step closer to becoming law, along with other bills I supported to bolster mental health resources. These are urgently needed after onerous COVID-19 lockdowns. Additionally, my Pre-approval Information Exchange Act was advanced today with the goal of cutting down the time that patients can access medical innovation after the FDA proves it is safe and effective. I will continue pushing for passage of these health bills every step of the legislative process,” said Guthrie.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 107,000 people lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2021, which is about a 15% increase from 2020. Never before have drug overdose deaths reached over 100,000 in a calendar year. CDC’s preliminary data shows around 71,200 of these overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, which includes illicit fentanyl.

Guthrie is the lead Republican of the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Act of 2022, which was passed today as part of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022. This legislative package led by Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Chairman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) would reauthorize Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs, including SAMHSA’s Substance Abuse and Treatment Block Grant. The Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Act of 2022 would reauthorize this block grant through 2027 and specifically authorize the use of funds for recovery support services, such as workforce training or peer support services, in addition to treatment and prevention services. This will ultimately provide needed flexibilities to states to direct resources where needed.

Guthrie’s Pre-approval Information Exchange Act aims to reduce the amount of time between when a medical product is approved by the FDA and when it is covered by a payor to help patients access medical innovation more quickly. It would do this by permitting pre-approval communications exchanges between medical product sponsors and payors before a product is approved by the FDA. The Pre-approval Information Exchange Act was passed as part of the FDA Act of 2022. Guthrie and Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), who serve as the Ranking Member and Chairwoman, respectively, of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee introduced the FDA Act of 2022. This package of bills would reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fee agreements and include legislation to secure supply chains, lower drug costs, and protect patient access to life-saving therapies.

Under regular order, the next step is for the bills to be considered in a markup with the full Energy and Commerce Committee.

###