This bill establishes the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program as a permanent federal initiative to address substance use disorders and opioid addiction in rural areas. The program, administered through the Health Resources and Services Administration, would provide grants and cooperative agreements to states, Indian tribes, state offices of rural health, and other eligible organizations to fund prevention, treatment, and recovery services, as well as planning and technical assistance activities. Eligible entities can use the funding to strengthen service coordination networks, implement evidence-based treatment models, respond to emerging public health issues, and provide technical support, but cannot use funds to purchase or improve real property. The bill authorizes $165 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these grants, with individual awards limited to five-year periods. The legislation was introduced in August 2026 by Senators Capito and Welch and referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
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