Expect Senator Rob Portman to yet again tout substance abuse measures he’s voted against funding.
A Senate Committee will review legislation to address addiction and treatment – a sudden election year interest for many Republicans facing tough campaigns back home. However, when Portman had an opportunity in December to increase funding for mental health and substance abuse services, he voted against the bill and opted instead to protect tax breaks for millionaires and corporations.
“Rob Portman shamefully voted against increased funding for substance abuse treatment, and is now trying to distort his record on this critical issue in the face of a tough reelection battle,” said Lauren Passalacqua, DSCC National Press Secretary. “By instead choosing to protect his millionaire friends instead of thousands of Ohioans struggling with substance abuse, Portman showed exactly where his interests lie. Ohio deserves a senator who will put their interests first.”
BACKGROUND:
Dec. 2015: Portman Voted Against Expanding Coverage For Addiction Treatment, Increasing Resources For Substance Abuse Prevention And Treatment. In 2015, Portman voted against: “Shaheen, D-N.H., motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Enzi, R-Wyo., point of order against the Shaheen, D-N.H, amendment no. 2892 to the McConnell, R-Ky., substitute amendment no. 2874. The Shaheen amendment would require qualified health care plans to provide coverage for more than one FDA-approved addiction-treatment drug and would create a Substance Use and Mental Health Capacity Expansion Fund. The substitute, instead of repealing the 2010 health law’s requirements for most individuals to obtain health coverage and employers to offer health insurance or face tax penalties, would remove the law’s penalties for noncompliance. The substitute also would reinstate in 2025 the tax on certain high-value employer-sponsored health insurance plans, which would be repealed under the bill, and would add a provision that would force individuals to pay back the full amount of any subsidy overpayments.” The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47-52. [CQ Floor Votes, 12/3/15; HR 3762, Vote 317,12/3/15]
- Senator Shaheen: Amendment “Provides Over $15 Billion Of Needed Funding To States And Municipalities” Including Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants. In a Senate floor statement, Senator Shaheen said: “Finally, this amendment provides over $15 billion of needed funding to States and municipalities to help address the public health emergency in those States and communities that are the frontlines of this crisis. Through the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grants and the community mental health service block grants, this service is targeted to those most at risk for substance abuse and mental illness, giving the States flexibility to develop and fund programs that work best for them. This prevention, intervention, and treatment of substance abuse and mental health disorders have the potential to make the difference in millions of lives.” [Congressional Record, Senate Floor, 12/3/15]
