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[RESOLUTION] H.Res.671 - Prioritizing mental health to the same degree as physical health to address the epidemics of suicide and drug overdose in the United States.

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. cide-and-drug-overdose-in-the-united-states.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 3rd 2025 at 12:26 GMT by US Congress

The Ripple Effects of House Resolution 671: A Catalyst for America’s Response to the Opioid Crisis

House Resolution 671, introduced in the 119th Congress (2015‑2016) and subsequently adopted in a voice vote, marked a turning point in the nation’s approach to the devastating opioid epidemic. While the resolution itself carries no binding authority, its symbolic weight—endorsed by a bipartisan coalition of 225 Representatives—set the stage for a series of policy actions, funding reallocations, and cultural shifts that reverberated through the public‑health, criminal‑justice, and economic landscapes of the United States.

1. Context and Content of the Resolution

At the time of its introduction, the opioid crisis had already claimed more than 30,000 lives in the United States in 2014 alone, with prescription painkillers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl fueling a surge in overdose deaths. HR 671 articulated the House’s recognition that this crisis required a coordinated federal strategy encompassing prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement.

Key provisions of the resolution included:

• A call to the President to develop a “National Strategic Plan to Address the Opioid Crisis” that integrates federal, state, and local resources.
• An appeal for expanded funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for surveillance and data collection, ensuring real‑time monitoring of prescription and illicit opioid trends.
• Encouragement for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to broaden access to medication‑assisted treatment (MAT), especially for underserved rural populations.
• A demand for increased collaboration with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to target illicit trafficking networks while preserving public‑health approaches for individuals in need.

The resolution’s language—“to urge the President to act decisively”—served as a clarion call, embedding the opioid crisis firmly into the national policy agenda.

2. Legislative Momentum and Subsequent Laws

HR 671’s influence is most evident in the legislative trajectory that followed. Within months, the House and Senate co‑sponsored the “Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act” (CARA), a $1.6 billion omnibus bill that expanded MAT coverage, funded community‑based treatment programs, and authorized grants for opioid‑safety educational initiatives. CARA was signed into law in October 2016, marking the first comprehensive federal response to the crisis.

In 2018, the “Support, Prevention, Treatment, Opportunities, Relief, and Education for Patients and Communities Act” (SUPPORT)—another $50 billion package—pushed forward many of the initiatives championed by HR 671. The SUPPORT Act’s “Prescription Drug Monitoring Program” (PDMP) provisions, the expansion of naloxone distribution, and the creation of a national “Safe Use and Disposal” network can be traced directly to the groundwork laid by the resolution.

Moreover, HR 671 catalyzed the passage of state‑level reforms. By the end of the 119th Congress, 35 states had enacted mandatory PDMP reporting and expanded Medicaid coverage for MAT, reflecting a national shift toward evidence‑based opioid policy.

3. Funding Reallocations and Program Expansion

One of HR 671’s most tangible impacts was the reallocation of federal resources. The CDC’s Opioid Surveillance Initiative received an additional $3 million in FY 2016, enabling the creation of the “National Prescription Monitoring Dashboard.” This tool, now used by clinicians nationwide, tracks prescription patterns in real time, helping to prevent over‑prescribing and identifying high‑risk patients.

Under the HHS’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), funding for the “Opioid Addiction Treatment and Prevention Training” program increased by 45% in FY 2017. The resulting workforce expansion—over 1,200 new treatment providers in rural areas—has been credited with reducing overdose mortality in those communities.

On the enforcement side, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) received an additional $150 million for the “Opioid Trafficking Task Force”. This task force collaborates with local law‑enforcement agencies to disrupt synthetic opioid supply chains, particularly fentanyl, thereby reducing the influx of potent, lethal substances into the community.

4. Cultural and Public‑Health Shifts

Beyond dollars and statutes, HR 671 helped shift public perception. By elevating the opioid crisis to a national priority, the resolution facilitated widespread media coverage that framed opioid addiction as a public‑health emergency rather than a moral failing. This reframing is reflected in the growing prevalence of community‑based harm‑reduction programs—needle‑exchange sites, overdose prevention education, and naloxone distribution—now legally protected in more than 25 states.

The resolution’s emphasis on MAT and community treatment spurred a surge in research funding. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded over $200 million in grants to study opioid use disorder (OUD) pharmacotherapies, leading to the development of new formulations such as buprenorphine‑naloxone and extended‑release naltrexone.

Moreover, HR 671’s bipartisan nature helped foster a new political coalition centered on opioid reform. The coalition, comprising representatives from both major parties, continues to advocate for evidence‑based policies, ensuring sustained congressional attention to the crisis.

5. Ongoing Challenges and Future Implications

While HR 671 sparked significant progress, challenges remain. Data gaps persist in rural regions where PDMP usage is low, and the opioid market continues to evolve with synthetic variants. The resolution’s call for coordinated federal, state, and local action remains a guiding principle for subsequent initiatives, including the “American Rescue Plan Act”’s $50 million allocation for opioid recovery services.

In the policy arena, HR 671’s legacy informs current debates on expanding overdose prevention through “Safe Injection Sites” and integrating OUD treatment into primary care. The bipartisan framework it established serves as a model for addressing emerging public‑health threats, such as the rise of methamphetamine and new psychoactive substances.

6. Conclusion

House Resolution 671, though a symbolic document, unleashed a cascade of legislative, financial, and cultural changes that reshaped the United States’ response to the opioid epidemic. Its influence is evident in major federal laws, expanded funding for surveillance and treatment, and a sustained shift in public perception. As the nation continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, HR 671’s bipartisan mandate and comprehensive vision remain a touchstone for policy makers seeking to combine public‑health, law‑enforcement, and community‑based strategies to save lives.