Opioid Treatment Providers Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5381

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Last Updated

2025-09-26T14:32:17Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Opioid Treatment Providers Act (H.R. 5381) aims to expand access to federal grants for workforce development in health professions by including opioid treatment programs and other addiction care providers as eligible recipients. This supports efforts to address the opioid crisis by funding training and job opportunities in addiction treatment.

Key Provisions

• Eligibility Expansion: Amends Section 2008(a)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act to include opioid treatment programs (defined under Section 1861(jjj)(2) as facilities providing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder) and other high-quality comprehensive addiction care providers as eligible entities for Health Professions Opportunity Grants.
• Grant Focus: These grants, administered under the Social Security Act, provide funding for training programs in health professions, targeting low-income individuals, public assistance recipients, and others to build skills for careers in healthcare.
• Effective Date: The changes take effect on October 1, 2025.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, eligibility for these grants was limited to certain educational institutions, health professions schools, or community-based organizations.
• The bill broadens this by explicitly adding opioid treatment programs and similar providers, allowing them to apply for and receive funding to develop workforce programs in addiction care.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees these grants, may see increased applications and administrative workload, potentially leading to more efficient allocation of funds toward opioid-related workforce needs.
• On Citizens: Individuals struggling with opioid addiction could benefit from expanded treatment services through better-trained staff in eligible programs; low-income job seekers may gain more opportunities for training in addiction care roles, improving access to employment and healthcare.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic public health and workforce programs.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Opioid Treatment Programs and Addiction Care Providers: Gain new funding eligibility to enhance staff training and service delivery.
• Low-Income Individuals and Public Assistance Recipients: Benefit from expanded training opportunities in high-demand health fields.
• Healthcare Workforce: Providers and educators in addiction treatment may receive support to build capacity amid the opioid epidemic.
• Federal Government: Agencies like HHS administering the grants will manage broader eligibility.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the framework of the Social Security Act by aligning grant programs with national priorities on substance use disorders, without altering core grant criteria or funding levels.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the bill operates within Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and promote general welfare through social programs.
• Political: Supports bipartisan efforts to combat the opioid crisis by investing in treatment infrastructure, potentially influencing future appropriations for public health initiatives.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
• 2025-09-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Opioid Treatment Providers Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (2 pages)