SENATE BILL: Help is On The Way Act (Passed)

[Devout Centrist]

Okay so we know that the Wealth Tax covers this, what is the next steps here and what has to happen on that bill for the sake of this if anything?

I believe we can proceed to a final vote. This bill is now fully costed and no more steps are required to fund it. If there are any objections, I'd be happy to answer them.

[Pyro]

I support the general aim of this bill in its goal to combat the opioid epidemic.

However, I worry that a ten-year plan may not be the wisest course of action when we are dealing with predetermined amounts of yearly funding. In other words, if we were to find that the $10B utilized was either too little or too great, as the case may be, there should be a section in this bill allowing for an expansion or reduction in funding. Similarly, we should allow for the reallocation of funds after each year has passed (If we find that more needs to be spent on research, for instance).

Could I ask the sponsor to please speak to this point?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I support the general aim of this bill in its goal to combat the opioid epidemic.

However, I worry that a ten-year plan may not be the wisest course of action when we are dealing with predetermined amounts of yearly funding. In other words, if we were to find that the $10B utilized was either too little or too great, as the case may be, there should be a section in this bill allowing for an expansion or reduction in funding. Similarly, we should allow for the reallocation of funds after each year has passed (If we find that more needs to be spent on research, for instance).

Could I ask the sponsor to please speak to this point?

I would also be interested in a response to this question.

[Devout Centrist]

I support the general aim of this bill in its goal to combat the opioid epidemic.

However, I worry that a ten-year plan may not be the wisest course of action when we are dealing with predetermined amounts of yearly funding. In other words, if we were to find that the $10B utilized was either too little or too great, as the case may be, there should be a section in this bill allowing for an expansion or reduction in funding. Similarly, we should allow for the reallocation of funds after each year has passed (If we find that more needs to be spent on research, for instance).

Could I ask the sponsor to please speak to this point?

I will propose a clause that will reevaluate funding on an annual basis; should the crisis worsen, we can pledge more funds to address the problem. Should the crisis abate, this bill will wind funding down. Would an amendment along those lines satisfy your concerns?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I would be fine with annual reevaluation but I cannot speak for Pyro.

[Devout Centrist]

Proposing an amendment:

SENATE BILL
To combat the opioid epidemic
Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress

Section 1; Title
1. This legislation may be cited as the "Help is On The Way Act."
Section 2; Comprehensive Government Response
1. $100 billion shall be appropriated over the next 10 years for the purposes of combatting the opioid epidemic.
2. The $100 billion, as $10 billion annual funding, shall be broken down annually as follows-
a) $4 billion shall be appropriated to fund regional, state, local and tribal government responses to the opioid epidemic.
b) $2.7 billion shall be appropriated to fund opioid epidemic responses in those cities or counties that are in the top 15% of cities or counties in Atlasia in terms of overdose deaths due to opioids as a proportion of the population.
c) $1.7 billion shall be appropriated for public health surveillance, research, and improved training for health professionals.
d) $1.1 billion shall be appropriated to fund public and nonprofit entities directly involved in combating and responding to the opioid epidemic, and in particular with the intention of supporting expanded and innovative service delivery of treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services.
i) The intention shall apply when said entities are directly involved in and have a realistic chance of delivering on the intended goals in this clause.
e) $500 million shall be appropriated to expand access to naloxone and to provide naloxone to first responders, public health departments, and the public to reduce opioid overdose deaths.
Section 3; Funding
1. This legislation shall be funded from the revenue raised by the Wealth Tax Act.
2. Funding shall be reevaluated annually and appropriated depending on the severity and duration of the epidemic
a. The epidemic shall be deemed contained when deaths due to drug overdose drop below 4.5 per 100,000 nationally
Section 4; Implementation
1. This legislation shall take effect immediately upon its passage into law.

[Pyro]

I am in favor of this amendment. Thank you for addressing my concern.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

With no objections having been entered, the amendment is adopted.

[Devout Centrist]

I motion for a final vote

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

A Final vote is now open on this legislation, Senators please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Former President tack50]

Aye

[Devout Centrist]

Aye

[Pyro]

Aye

[ON Progressive]

Aye

[Coastal Elitist]

Aye

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

AYE


This ends in about two hours.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Vote on Final Passage of the Help is on the Way Act:

Aye (6): Devout Centrist, Ontario Progressive, NC Yankee, Pyro, Tack50 and TPH,
Nay (0):
Abstain (0):

Didn't Vote (0):

This bill is passed and is sent to the VP.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

SENATE BILL
To combat the opioid epidemic
Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress

Section 1; Title
1. This legislation may be cited as the "Help is On The Way Act."
Section 2; Comprehensive Government Response
1. $100 billion shall be appropriated over the next 10 years for the purposes of combatting the opioid epidemic.
2. The $100 billion, as $10 billion annual funding, shall be broken down annually as follows-
a) $4 billion shall be appropriated to fund regional, state, local and tribal government responses to the opioid epidemic.
b) $2.7 billion shall be appropriated to fund opioid epidemic responses in those cities or counties that are in the top 15% of cities or counties in Atlasia in terms of overdose deaths due to opioids as a proportion of the population.
c) $1.7 billion shall be appropriated for public health surveillance, research, and improved training for health professionals.
d) $1.1 billion shall be appropriated to fund public and nonprofit entities directly involved in combating and responding to the opioid epidemic, and in particular with the intention of supporting expanded and innovative service delivery of treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services.
i) The intention shall apply when said entities are directly involved in and have a realistic chance of delivering on the intended goals in this clause.
e) $500 million shall be appropriated to expand access to naloxone and to provide naloxone to first responders, public health departments, and the public to reduce opioid overdose deaths.
Section 3; Funding
1. This legislation shall be funded from the revenue raised by the Wealth Tax Act.
2. Funding shall be reevaluated annually and appropriated depending on the severity and duration of the epidemic
a. The epidemic shall be deemed contained when deaths due to drug overdose drop below 4.5 per 100,000 nationally.
Section 4; Implementation
1. This legislation shall take effect immediately upon its passage into law.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 6-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,