The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced an additional $24 million in funding for Texas to supplement the State Opioid Response grant program. To date, Texas has been awarded more than $176 million in federal funding related to fighting the opioid crisis under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) Texas Targeted Opioid Response program (TTOR). “By building upon the success of the TTOR program, more Texans will have access to the resources they need as they enter recovery,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “To effectively address this crisis, we must continue to invest in a comprehensive strategy that that prioritizes the health and safety of Texans while effectively combating the mistreatment of opioids. I am grateful for the collaborative work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HHSC to address opioid misuse and provide greater recovery resources for those experiencing substance use disorders.” The new funding will expand access to treatment options including medication-assisted treatment, which combines approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies for a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. The funding will increase access to treatment and aims to reduce opioid overdose-related deaths through prevention and recovery strategies. Details about the new $24 million in grant funding, including information about individual projects and recipients, will be finalized in the coming weeks. “These grant funds will enable us to strengthen our existing work on addressing opioids in Texas,” said HHS Executive Commissioner Dr. Courtney N. Phillips.
