Pasco Reporter

Washington, DC: The House of Representatives has passed the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, a comprehensive package aimed at improving mental health and substance abuse treatment options across the United States. Among the provisions included in this legislation are four measures authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis. These measures are focused on enhancing public health outcomes, advancing critical research, and ensuring that vulnerable children have access to vital mental health services.

One of the measures, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, seeks to address the illicit use of a dangerous sedative called xylazine. While this drug is safe for use in large animals by veterinarians, it has never been approved for human use and has been found to cause fatal overdoses when laced with fentanyl. Congressman Bilirakis, a co-author of the legislation, explains the importance of this measure, stating, "My goal is to save lives and to make sure law enforcement has the tools it needs to respond appropriately to those who are making these deadly concoctions killing so many of our neighbors. Our legislation strikes the right balance between preventing misuse and allowing legitimate use by veterinarians."

Another measure, the FIND Fentanyl Act, aims to improve the coordination between public health laboratories and law enforcement agencies in detecting and stopping the distribution of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Congressman Bilirakis emphasizes the need for collaboration between medical experts and law enforcement in addressing the fentanyl crisis, stating, "To better curb the fentanyl crisis we are seeing in our communities, we must coordinate our efforts between medical experts and law enforcement, and this pilot program will go a long way to ensure we detect fentanyl and remove it from our streets."

The SWIFT Detection Act focuses on updating methods for tracking illicit controlled substances such as fentanyl. This measure authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide grants for conducting wastewater surveillance and other innovative projects. Congressman Bilirakis highlights the importance of utilizing all available tools to combat the opioid epidemic, stating, "This non-invasive screening of wastewater will allow local public health officials the chance to make data-informed decisions and enable better targeting of prevention and treatment services."

The final measure, the Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2023, addresses a technical glitch in federal statute that prevents at-risk foster children from accessing appropriate mental and behavioral health services covered by Medicaid. The Bilirakis bill aims to reestablish access to Medicaid services for children in the state foster care system who receive treatment in Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs). These programs provide trauma-informed treatment for children who have experienced severe trauma. Congressman Bilirakis emphasizes the importance of continuity of care for foster care children, stating, "I am committed to ensuring foster care kids have continued access to quality trauma-informed treatment in a supportive environment that enables them to heal, without losing access to Medicaid services."

These four measures authored by Congressman Bilirakis demonstrate a commitment to improving public health outcomes, addressing the opioid crisis, and ensuring access to vital mental health services for vulnerable children. The passage of the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act in the House marks an important step towards these goals.

To find out more, go to this link: https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/four-more-bilirakis-measures-pass-house