On June 25, 2018, the Senate Committee on Finance reported legislation related to the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. Generally, S. 3120 would:
Expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage of services to treat opioid use disorder;
Give Medicare providers and health plans additional tools to curtail inappropriate prescribing and use of opioids;
Require the completion of studies and reports related to various aspects of treatment programs funded under Medicare and Medicaid; and
Support families struggling with opioid and other substance use disorders.
CBO estimates that enacting S. 3120 would reduce direct spending by $21 million over the 2019-2028 period. In addition, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost about $35 million over the same period, assuming appropriation of the necessary and specified amounts. Because enacting S. 3120 would affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. CBO estimates that enacting S. 3120 would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting S. 3120 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
S. 3120 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).