Rep. Tokuda Votes in Favor of Bipartisan SUPPORT Reauthorization Act

Rep. Tokuda Votes in Favor of Bipartisan SUPPORT Reauthorization Act | U.S. House Representative Jill Tokuda Skip to content Close Home About Biography Our District Votes And Legislation Committees & Caucuses Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus Bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus Services Help With A Federal Agency Tours And Tickets Internships Flags Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Military Service Academy Nominations Funding Requests Grant Applications Events Know Your Rights Disaster Assistance Programs for Flooding Victims Community Resources and Flood Response Guidance Media Op-Eds Press Releases In The News Videos Contact Email Me Scheduling Request Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Website Problem Close SEARCH Congresswoman Jill Tokuda About Biography Our District Votes And Legislation Committees & Caucuses Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus Bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus Services Help With A Federal Agency Tours And Tickets Internships Flags Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Military Service Academy Nominations Funding Requests Grant Applications Events Know Your Rights Disaster Assistance Programs for Flooding Victims Community Resources and Flood Response Guidance Media Op-Eds Press Releases In The News Videos Contact Email Me Scheduling Request Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Website Problem Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo Home Media Press Releases June 06, 2025 Rep. Tokuda Votes in Favor of Bipartisan SUPPORT Reauthorization Act Supports expanded access to substance use recovery and treatment services Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted in favor of H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act , bipartisan legislation that strengthens the federal response to the opioid epidemic and expands access to treatment, prevention, and recovery services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The bill passed the House with broad bipartisan support. “In Hawaiʻi and across the country, rural communities are facing growing mental health and substance use challenges, often with limited resources and support,” said Rep. Tokuda . “The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act makes critical investments in prevention, treatment, and recovery -- meeting people where they are, especially in areas where access to care is a daily struggle. This bill is about saving lives, supporting families, and giving every community, no matter how remote, a fair shot at healing and recovery.” Key highlights of the bill include: Reauthorizes and Expands Programs: Extends funding for substance use disorder treatment centers, safe drug disposal initiatives, and coordination between public health laboratories and law enforcement. Addresses Workforce Development: Funds education and training grants to address shortages of professionals in substance use disorder treatment. Improves Access to Treatment: Enhances Medicaid coverage for people battling addiction, supports new models of addiction care, and funds treatment programs for special populations such as pregnant and postpartum women. Strengthen Overdose Prevention: Supports first responder training, naloxone distribution, and efforts to reduce fentanyl and synthetic opioid overdoses. Hawaiʻi has seen a significant increase in overdose deaths in recent years, with 346 fatalities recorded in 2023, up from 284 in 2022. Most of these deaths are attributed to methamphetamine, which was involved in 222 cases in 2023. However, fentanyl-related deaths have risen sharply, accounting for 107 deaths in 2023, a 35 percent increase from the previous year. In addition to supporting the overall bill, Rep. Tokuda submitted two amendments for consideration : Specialized Services for First Responders – Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a mental health program tailored specifically for first responders, providing 24/7 access to services, a dedicated hotline, outreach, and peer support. The amendment is based on Tokuda’s own legislation, H.R. 6415, the CARE for First Responders Act , introduced in the 118 th Congress. Closing Gaps in Rural Addiction Services – Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to improve the collection and reporting of data on the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment and recovery initiatives in rural and frontier areas. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act now moves to the Senate for consideration. ### Print Email Share Tweet Previous Article Next Article About Services Media Contact Privacy Policy Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo