Senators Hassan and Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Significantly Streamline Application Process for Federal Addiction-Related Grant Funding

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for organizations on the front lines of the addiction crisis to apply for grants to prevent substance use in the first place, provide addiction treatment, and help people navigate recovery. The Addiction Grants Modernization Act would simplify the process for organizations to find and apply for addiction-related federal grants by creating an interactive website to view and apply for these funding opportunities. Additionally, the bill would also establish a centralized application that can be used by organizations to apply for multiple addiction-related grants with similar goals. “Local leaders and advocates across New Hampshire are working every day to help Granite Staters enter and stay in recovery — and thanks to their work, we’re finally beginning to see a drop in overdose deaths in New Hampshire. We cannot let up in this fight, and that means making it easier for them to get the funding and resources that they need,” said Senator Hassan, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care. “This bipartisan bill will support the people on the frontlines of fighting this crisis so that they can focus less on red tape and more on their important work of saving lives.” “Addressing substance use disorders in communities across the country begins by supporting the organizations providing life-changing care,” said Senator Tim Scott. “The Addiction Grants Modernization Act aims to simplify and streamline the grant application process for these organizations. By creating a unified application system that protects existing grant structures and funding levels, this legislation will reduce administrative and bureaucratic burdens so organizations can spend less time navigating paperwork and more time helping individuals." Congress has established and funded a range of grant programs that support community-based organizations in their work to prevent substance use, provide treatment for those with addiction, and support people in recovery. However, currently, there is no centralized resource for organizations applying for funding to find all grants that they may be eligible for. Additionally, applicants must fill out separate applications for similar grants. The Addiction Grants Modernization Act would simplify this process for organizations to find and apply for addiction response grants through a new website and centralized application for federal addiction-related grants. This bipartisan bill is supported by several New Hampshire and national organizations working to prevent and treat addiction including the Overdose Prevention Initiative, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), NAMI New Hampshire, Bipartisan Policy Center, Partnership to End Addiction, Makin’ It Happen Coalition for Resilient Youth, and Drug Policy Alliance. “Substance misuse disorder has had a profound impact upon many Granite State families. Indeed, there is no one in New Hampshire who does know someone who has been lost to an overdose death. While we have seen real progress in reducing the occurrence of such tragedies, ensuring the resources necessary to continue this work is critical. The Addiction Grant Modernization Act will help substance use disorder provider organizations in New Hampshire and across the nation efficiently access critical, lifesaving federal grants – helping people find help and hope,” said Susan Stearns, Executive Director of NAMI New Hampshire. "The Addiction Grants Modernization Act will help community-based organizations find the funding that best fits the work they do and reach the people who need their help the most. That way treatment providers spend their time on bringing people lifesaving care instead of doing paperwork,” said Libby Jones, Associate Vice President, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Overdose Prevention Initiative. "Community organizations fighting the addiction crisis shouldn't be buried in duplicative federal paperwork; they should be delivering services to those in need. BPC Action has long supported greater coordination across federal agencies, including aligning grant application processes to reduce barriers for organizations working to prevent substance use disorder, expand treatment, and support recovery. The Addiction Grants Modernization Act does exactly that. We applaud Senators Hassan (D-NH) and Scott (R-SC) for this commonsense, bipartisan solution," said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. “Makin it Happen along with many of our community partners rely on grants as essential key funding sources. We appreciate Senator Hassan's efforts in proposing a more streamlined approach to application and grant review which will help all of us sustain our prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts,” said Mary Forsythe-Taber, Executive Director, Makin’ It Happen Coalition for Resilient Youth, Inc. This bill builds on Senator Hassan’s work to combat the fentanyl crisis and expand access to evidence-based addiction treatment. At the end of last year, Senator Hassan played a key role in spearheading the passage of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act , which included important support for federal funding for fentanyl test strips. Additionally, Senator Hassan helped introduce the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act , bipartisan legislation to improve access to medication-assisted treatment by allowing more addiction specialists to prescribe methadone. In 2022, Senator Hassan successfully passed into law her bipartisan Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act to increase the number of medical professionals authorized to prescribe medication-assisted treatment. ###