Van Hollen, Warren, Baldwin, Maloney Reintroduce Landmark CARE Act to Combat the Substance Use Epidemic | US Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland – Senator Chris Van Hollen
December 21, 2021
The CARE Act is the most ambitious legislation of its kind in Congress and would allocate $125 billion over 10 years to defeat the substance use crisis
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), Ann Kuster (D-N.H.), and David Trone (D-Md.) in reintroducing the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, the most ambitious legislation ever introduced in Congress to confront the substance use epidemic. Endorsed by over 175 organizations, the CARE Act would provide state and local governments with $125 billion in federal funding over ten years.
In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and nearly 100 members of the House of Representatives.
Originally introduced in 2018, the updated CARE Act of 2021 addresses the substance use disorder crisis, including, but not limited to, the opioid epidemic.
“The opioid epidemic has wreaked havoc on families across Maryland. The ongoing rise in overdose deaths is a tragedy that hurts communities across our state and our nation and it has only gotten worse, which is why we must address it with an ambitious solution like the CARE Act,” said Senator Van Hollen. “The CARE Act makes historic investments in overdose response, addiction treatment, and recovery-to-employment initiatives, with a focus on the hardest-hit places that need these resources the most. This plan will help us mount a serious response to the extensive scale of this decades-long crisis.”
“For too long state and local leaders, health officials, and first responders in Massachusetts and across the country have been forced to shoulder the burden of the substance use disorder crisis,” said Senator Warren. “It is time for the federal government to address this crisis head on by enacting comprehensive legislation to make sure everyone who needs treatment for a substance use disorder is able to get it—whether they live in the largest cities, in rural or suburban areas, on tribal lands, or anywhere else in the United States.”
“Too many families across this country have been devastated by America’s addiction crisis, which has gotten worse during the coronavirus pandemic. Now more than ever, the federal government must step up and provide our communities with the sustained funding they need to expand treatment access and turn the tide on this epidemic,” said House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Maloney. “This critical legislation will deliver essential resources to those on the frontlines of this crisis, in order to prevent future tragedies and save lives.”
“The opioid epidemic and substance abuse crisis continues to touch every community across Wisconsin and the country, and the COVID pandemic has only made it worse,” said Senator Baldwin. “I support taking action with the CARE Act, which will deliver a sustained funding source for our local and state …….
