Opioid overdose deaths have continued to rise in part because some federal grant programs for treating opioid addiction specifically name naloxone — the original overdose-reversal drug sold as Narcan — leaving out newer FDA-approved alternatives. This law requires the Department of Health and Human Services to update those references in the State and Tribal Opioid Response Grant program and the priority substance use disorder prevention grant program so they apply to any FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal drug. The update covers both new guidance going forward and existing regulations issued before the bill's enactment, with a one-year deadline for HHS to complete revisions to older rules. The change gives states and tribes more flexibility in choosing which reversal agent to distribute or fund with federal grant dollars, allowing them to use newer FDA-approved alternatives alongside or instead of naloxone.
Congressional Summary
Halting the Epidemic of Addiction and Loss Act of 2025This bill requires that, when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues new regulations or guidance on grant programs addressing opioid use disorders, references to an opioid overdose reversal drug (e.g., naloxone) must broadly include any opioid overdose reversal drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration.Within one year after the bill’s enactment, HHS must update all references accordingly in regulations or guidance issued prior to the bill’s enactment that are applicable to State Opioid Response Grants, Tribal Opioid Response Grants, or certain other grants relating to substance use disorder prevention.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-07-17
- Date Added
- 2026-06-27
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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