Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $668,000 to Fight Opioid Crisis in Western Maryland

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $668,000 in federal funding to fight the opioid crisis in Western Maryland, as part of $2.4 million for Maryland overall. This investment will help health centers increase access to high-quality integrated mental health and substance abuse disorders services, including opioid addiction. The funding, awarded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as part of the Integrated Behavioral Health Services program, will go to:

• The City of Frederick, Md.: $167,000
• The Tri-State Community Health Center in Hancock, Md.: $167,000
• The Walnut Street Community Health Center in Hagerstown, Md.: $167,000
• The Western Maryland Health Care Corporation in Oakland, Md.: $167,000

“The opioid epidemic is ravaging our communities, and health centers are on the front lines of combating this scourge. This funding will give our community much-needed resources to treat people impacted by addiction – ultimately pulling them back from the brink and putting them on the path to a healthier life. It is just one part of the federal effort to tackle this public health crisis, and I will keep fighting until we end this epidemic,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. 

“Despite some progress and a lot of hard work, the opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities in Maryland and nationwide,” said Senator Cardin, a senior member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee. “What gives me hope are the innovative strategies I’ve witnessed around Maryland to serve individuals with the combination of services they need to ultimately overcome addiction. These federal funds will support our hardworking and dedicated local health centers in furthering that effort.”  

“The opioid epidemic has ravaged our country, and it has hit rural communities in Western Maryland particularly hard,” said Rep. David Trone, founder of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction in Congress. “One of the first things I did when I came to Congress was talk to those on the front lines of this epidemic - hospitals, health departments, first responders, police officers, mental health professionals, early childhood organizations, and those suffering from substance use disorder.  I heard loud and clear that we need more resources like this grant to address this epidemic. We must continue to invest in ending this horrible crisis in our country.”

HRSA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides health care to people who are geographically isolated, and/or economically or medically vulnerable. This funding was possible through passage of the FY19 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

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