HHS awards grants to expand access to opioid disorder treatment

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Friday awarded $144.1 million in grants to states, cities, health care providers and community organizations to prevent and treat opioid addiction. “These grants will help expand treatment and recovery services to pregnant and postpartum women who are struggling with substance abuse, train our first responders to effectively use overdose reversing drugs, improve access to medication-assisted treatment, and increase long-term recovery services,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. Also last week, the Health Resources and Services Administration awarded 13 rural health organizations up to $250,000 each to increase access to treatment and recovery services for opioid use disorders. Recipients include the Barnesville (OH) Hospital Association; Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN; and Avera Health in Sioux Falls, SD.