This week Mary Miller voted to allow the Biden Administration to spend taxpayer dollars on crack pipes for so-called “safe smoking kits.” Miller voted No on major mental health legislation, which was the first major effort to date to address the mental health crisis caused in part by government lockdown policies and school closures during the pandemic. The bill also restricted the Biden Administration’s ability to spend taxpayer dollars on mental health and drug programs. Rodney Davis voted for the bill.
“We have a mental health crisis and opioid epidemic in this country, but Mary Miller doesn’t think so. She just voted No on the first major mental health bill since the pandemic lockdown and school closure policies, said Arron Degroot, Miller’s No vote would have even allowed the Biden Administration to purchase crack pipes with taxpayer dollars for so-called ‘safe smoking kits.’ Once again, Miller took the extreme position. Rodney Davis worked on and voted for this legislation because he knows we have to do more to address the mental health crisis and opioid epidemic. Rodney isn’t afraid to govern and get things done.”
H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022, reauthorizes grant programs that seek to address mental health problems, substance abuse disorders, and suicide prevention, especially amongst children and young adults. Specifically, programs aimed at helping our children who continue to struggle with stress, anxiety, and social isolation due in part to government-mandated lockdowns and school closures were reauthorized as well.
The bill also protects charitable choice, ensuring religious organizations can compete on an equal footing for federal programs while preserving their religious mission.
The legislation also included an amendment offered by Rodney Davis, which was accepted by the House. Davis’ amendment extends e-prescribing rules for controlled substances like opioids to all patients to help prevent bad actors from prescription shopping and opioid trafficking. This idea originated from a discussion Davis had with Bloomington-Normal law enforcement after a prescription shopper illegally obtained hundreds of opioid pills. Miller voted No on the amendment and on the final bill.
Mandatory spending in this legislation is fully offset and the deficit is reduced by cracking down on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) exploiting the rebate system.