Senate Dems Introduce Bill to Address Opioid Crisis’ Impact on Native Americans

Three Democratic Senators introduced a bill to address the impact of the opioid crisis on Native American reservations.

In announcing the legislation, Sens. Tom Udall (N.M.), Tina Smith (Minn.) and Jon Tester (Mont.) noted that Native American and Alaska Native communities experience the highest drug overdose mortality rates but have far fewer resources.

The legislation, the Native Behavioral Health Access Improvement Act, would establish a behavioral health program to address the opioid crisis. It would further create a Special Behavioral Health Program for Indians modeled after a similar program for diabetes.