The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill supported by Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to provide moms access treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs).
According to a Tuesday news release from Gluesenkamp Perez, the House passed the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, which includes the Protecting Moms and Infants Reauthorization Act. Led by Gluesenkamp Perez and Rep. Young Kim, R-California, the Protecting Moms and Infants Reauthorization Act will provide resources for pregnant and postpartum women with SUDs.
“No community has gone untouched by our nation’s worsening addiction crisis, so it’s essential we work together to get folks the care and support they need,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement. “Moms face enough challenges as it is, so I’m thankful for Rep. Kim’s partnership on this bipartisan bill to ensure moms and expecting mothers have the resources necessary to sustain recovery and build bright futures for their families.”
The bill will increase the amount of funding for residential treatment programs from $29,900,000 to $38,900,000 for fiscal years 2024 to 2028, according to the legislation.
“As a mother of four grown children who are now having families of their own, I have experienced and seen glimpses of the many maternal health challenges women face during and after pregnancy. Moms are warriors who keep our communities running and deserve our bipartisan support,” Kim said in a statement. “The Protecting Moms and Infants Reauthorization Act ensures that mothers, as well as their impacted children and family members, who struggle with substance use disorders can receive vital treatment they need for a lasting recovery. I thank Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez for working with me on this and my colleagues for joining us to support moms. I will keep fighting for maternity care solutions.”