Throughout his career and dating back to his days in the New York State Assembly, Congressman Tonko has been a strong advocate for improved mental health resources, awareness, and education. Tonko has taken action to combat the growing opioid epidemic in the United States, including providing better access to medication, treatment, and rehabilitation centers. The Congressman works to ensure that all people struggling with their mental health get the assistance and treatment they need.
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Act
A bill to help ensure that those suffering from mental health issues are able to access occupational therapy services that help them live as independently as possible within their communities. The bill makes occupational therapists eligible to participate in the National Health Services Corps (NHSC) Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs as behavioral and mental health professionals.
Coordinating Crisis Care Act
A bill to authorize a new grant program at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a real time bed registry system. This bill allows patients to get the assistance they need in a timely fashion during a mental health crisis.
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Modernization Act
A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to expand access to medication-assisted opioid addiction treatment. The bill ensures that patients seeking addiction treatment have access to a variety of comprehensive treatment options.
Addiction Treatment Access Improvement Act
A bill to expand access to high-quality addiction treatment by allowing buprenorphine, a medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, to be prescribed by more healthcare providers such as nurse midwives. It also permanently allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe buprenorphine and allows some practitioners to treat more patients after having their license for 12 months.
Medicaid Reentry Act
A bill to require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop guidance for states to engage in demonstration projects that allow eligible incarcerated individuals to transition back into the Medicaid program 30 days before their release from a jail or prison. This will help address the disproportionate number of opioid overdose deaths that occur within a month of an inmate's release.
TEACH to Combat Addiction Act
A bill to establish a competitive process to designate institutions as Centers of Excellence in Substance Use Disorder Education. This legislation helps ensure that our health care professionals fighting the opioid epidemic have a proper understanding of substance use disorder treatment, prevention, and recovery.
Access to Increased Drug Disposal Act
A bill to provide funding to the DEA to award grants to companies and groups that expand their disposal programs for prescription drugs. This legislation will increase the availability of these disposal sites, a key part of our efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act
A bill to address the opioid epidemic by eliminating outdated barriers that prevented healthcare providers from prescribing buprenorphine, a proven treatment that has helped millions suffering with a substance use disorder. After France took similar action to make buprenorphine more widely available for healthcare providers, opioid overdose deaths declined by 79% over a four-year period.
Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Act
A bill to reauthorize for five years a crucial block grant that ensures sustained investment in programs that help states, communities, and families battle addiction.
