Central ND News

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak of North Dakota voted in favor of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, which passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 366-57. This legislation aims to reauthorize programs focused on preventing, treating, and supporting recovery from opioid and other substance use disorders.

Fedorchak emphasized the impact of addiction on individuals in her state: “Every North Dakotan knows someone whose life has been touched by addiction. The SUPPORT Act builds on successful, commonsense policies from the first Trump administration to expand treatment, support recovery, and save lives,” she stated. She highlighted that investing in prevention, education, and enforcement can help families heal and reduce drug-related deaths.

The legislation seeks to secure access to naloxone for first responders, enhance state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), increase treatment options for pregnant and postpartum women, encourage recovering individuals to join the workforce, and maintain resources for Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers. Initially signed into law by President Trump in 2018, the SUPPORT Act addresses the opioid epidemic. According to provisional data from the CDC, opioid overdose deaths decreased from an estimated 83,140 in 2023 to 54,743 in 2024.

Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) led this initiative. The SUPPORT Act has garnered support from over 160 substance use disorder treatment organizations across the nation.

Dr. Stephanie Dahl, President of the North Dakota Medical Association (NDMA), expressed support: “H.R. 2483 reauthorizes a crucial evidence-based program that is on track to curb the overdose epidemic by reducing deaths,” she said. “The program saves lives, and Rep. Fedorchak's support is appreciated.”

Mark J Hardy from the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy also commented on Section 105 of the act: “These changes will prevent the HHS secretary from forcing the state into selecting a vendor or interoperability connection that would not be in the best interest of the PDMP or our citizens,” he said.

Carl Young from Family Services Network Inc., spoke about its impact on children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): "This is truly an exciting moment for the North Dakota FASD Community," he said.

Advocates for Opioid Addiction Treatment noted a significant decline in drug overdose deaths reported by CDC between September 2023 through September 2024: “Without question, the bipartisan SUPPORT Act of 2018 played a critical role in reversing the tragic and deadly overdose trend and saving lives.”