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Senator McConnell contacted federal agency in support of competitive grant

LOUISVILLE, KY -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Friday that Family Health Centers, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky has received $325,000 in funding to assist in improving and expanding substance abuse treatment services at its facility. Senator McConnell contacted the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on behalf of Family Health Center, Inc. in support of the federal competitive grant.

“This funding will help Family Health Centers, Inc. expand its services and hire additional staff to help treat those in the area suffering from substance abuse,” said Senator McConnell. “This is great news for the community and comes on the heels of the Senate passing legislation authorizing programs to help combat the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic in Kentucky. I appreciate the opportunity to assist Family Health Centers, Inc. The community health center does great work in Louisville providing care to those who need it most, and now they will be able to begin offering treatment services for opioid and heroin abuse.”

“We are very pleased to receive this federal grant award to allow the Family Health Centers to offer expanded substance abuse treatment services at health center sites. The new grant funding will allow us to provide treatment for opioid addiction, with a focus on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). We look forward to working with other community treatment providers as we expand the array of treatment options available in the Louisville area, to address the growing heroin and opioid addiction crisis. We are thankful of Senator McConnell’s leadership on this issue, and his support for our federal grant to help address it,” said Bill Wagner, CEO, Family Health Centers, Inc.

Yesterday, the Senate passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The bill helps tackle the prescription opioid & heroin crisis by expanding education and prevention initiatives, improving treatment programs, and bolstering law enforcement efforts.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement today following the Senate passage of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA):

“I’m proud of the Senate’s decisive, bipartisan action to help address America’s growing prescription opioid and heroin epidemic. The bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act will help combat the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic at every level: by improving education and awareness, by expanding overdose prevention and prescription drug-monitoring programs, and by bolstering law enforcement’s ability to fight back.

“President Obama’s drug czar said this comprehensive and evidence-based legislation contains provisions that are ‘critically important to make headway’ on the issue, which helps explain why it’s supported by more than 130 groups dedicated to combatting this epidemic. The bipartisan CARA bill would not have passed today without the strong dedication of Senators like Rob Portman, Kelly Ayotte, and the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley. Like these Senators, I’m going to keep working hard as we continue in our aim to ultimately overcome this epidemic.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released today a video message following the Senate passage of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). Click the image below to view his comments:

The following is a transcript of the Majority Leader’s message:

“Today the Senate took decisive, bipartisan action to address our nation’s growing prescription opioid and heroin epidemic.

“I don’t have to tell you how this crisis is affecting communities across the Commonwealth. You know it’s tearing families apart. You know it’s striking at the vulnerable. You know it’s even taking aim at babies who have yet to take their first breath. At a time when more Kentuckians now die from drug overdoses than car crashes, it’s clear that more action is needed. Today, more action—significant action—was taken.

“The Senate voted on a bipartisan basis to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, or CARA, which will help combat the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic at every level.

“It will improve education and awareness.

“It will expand overdose prevention and prescription drug-monitoring programs.

“It will also bolster law-enforcement’s ability to fight back.

“President Obama’s drug czar said this bill contains provisions that are critically important to make headway’ in this crisis, and a top anti-drug official from Northern Kentucky said it ‘will address the growing needs of our communities in getting appropriate treatment to those who are suffering…[and] allow individuals, families and communities to heal from this scourge.’

“I’m proud of today’s latest action to bring hope to those suffering in this crisis. That doesn’t mean there isn’t more to be done—Kentuckians know there is, and I’m going to keep working hard as we continue in our aim to ultimately overcome this epidemic.”

Recent Press Releases

Family Health Center Receives Federal Support for Substance Abuse Services

March 11, 2016

Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Combat Nation’s Opioid Epidemic

‘The bipartisan CARA bill would not have passed today without the strong dedication of Senators like Rob Portman, Kelly Ayotte, and the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley.’

March 10, 2016

Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Address Opioid Epidemic

‘At a time when more Kentuckians now die from drug overdoses than car crashes, it’s clear that more action is needed. Today, more action—significant action—was taken.’

March 10, 2016