LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The U.S. House passed a bill aimed at tackling the opioid epidemic. 

The SUPPORT Act, Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities, became law in 2018.

Tuesday, the House passed H.R. 4531, the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization (SUPPORT) Act of 2023, by a vote of 386 to 37. The bill reauthorizes programs that are part of the original law. 

It provides funding to substance abuse treatment services, including access for Medicaid recipients and money for addiction prevention. As part of the bill, the requirement that Medicaid programs cover medication-assisted treatment for those with substance use disorders will be made permanent.

Kentucky congressman Brett Guthrie, the bill's sponsor, said Tuesday it's a win-win for every community to those struggling with addiction.

"It does deal with a multifaceted issue, as you know, the boom in Kentucky right now, and people are looking for employees," Guthrie, R-District 2, said. "So, you know, there's places for people to go if they can't deal with their addiction, and recover, and stay in recovery so that they can be productive."

Guthrie said the Senate could take the legislation up for a vote in January.

To read more about the bill, click here.

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