A bill unanimously approved by the PA Senate will increase access to licensed opioid addiction treatment programs for state residents.
Senate Bill 941 will provide regulatory flexibilities that can be used to directly help those in need of treatment to get access quicker and create real solutions to workforce shortages. The bill was sponsored by Senator Michele Brooks, who represents Crawford, Mercer and Lawrence Counties, and was approved by everyone in the senate, including Joe Pittman. In a statement, Brooks said that addiction treatment providers have always had trouble with staffing, and that problem was made worse during the Covid-19 pandemic. The legislation she put forward makes sure that the programs can operate with the necessary levels of service and treatment.
The bill also establishes annual reporting requirements to the General Assembly regarding unnecessary barriers to workforce recruitment and access to treatment. The bill heads to the State House for consideration.
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