Opioids and Mental Health

“Everyone has a family member or knows someone who is in the grips of opioids. I will continue to work with my colleagues to address this public health issue.”

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, there were 2,357 confirmed opioid-related and overdose-related deaths in 2022. This is unacceptable. The opioid epidemic does not discriminate: it affects all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds throughout our communities. I continue to work to expand treatment and prevention efforts instead of enacting stricter criminal penalties.

Congressman Neal has worked closely with community leaders, health care professionals, and law enforcement on efforts to address the crisis.

Under his leadership as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Neal held two hearings in the 117th Congress to examine Americans’ mental health and develop solutions to address the issues.

Congressman Neal authored a bill that added opioid treatment providers (OTP) to Medicare coverage. Also, reformed how Medicare pays Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities to ensure no disincentives to treat the sickest patients.

He has also taken action to ensure health insurance plans cover treatment of mental illnesses the same way they cover the treatment of physical illnesses.

He continues to protect programs like Medicaid expansion in the Affordable Care Act that have played crucial roles in helping individuals and their families facing the crushing impacts of opioid addiction.