Amy Klobuchar, Known For Speaking Out On Alcoholism, Proposes $100B Mental Health, Substance Abuse Plan
2020 presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduces a proposal to address three phases of substance abuse: prevention, treatment and recovery. The bill's $100 billion cost would come largely from opioid manufacturers, with Klobuchar saying the companies should be held responsible for helping create the country's opioid crisis. But Klobuchar includes a number of ideas that have previously failed to gain support in Congress, so the outlook for her plan is uncertain.
The New York Times:
Amy Klobuchar Proposes $100 Billion For Addiction And Mental Health
Senator Amy Klobuchar on Friday released a $100 billion plan to combat drug and alcohol addiction and improve mental health care, focusing one of the first detailed proposals of her presidential campaign on an issue deeply personal to her. Ms. Klobuchar — who has spoken before about her father’s alcoholism, including memorably at Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing — said she had developed the plan and made it an early focus in part because of that personal experience and in part because of the number of addiction-related stories she had heard from voters. (Astor, 5/3)
The Associated Press:
Klobuchar Releases $100B Substance Abuse, Mental Health Plan
The wide-ranging plan, released Friday, includes funding for early intervention of mental health disorders and drug use, a national suicide prevention campaign, better access to opioid addiction and other types of treatment and recruitment of health care workers to underserved rural areas and cities with the highest need. Klobuchar also says that as president she would prioritize mental health and substance abuse treatment over incarceration for nonviolent offenders, noting she supported drug courts as an alternative to jail when she was the lead prosecutor of Minnesota's largest county. (Burnett, 5/3)
Politico:
Cheat Sheet: How Sen. Amy Klobuchar Would Address Drug Addiction
The Minnesota Democrat’s plan aims to prevent and treat addiction, particularly to opioids. It commits to improving access to care and mental health facilities, including in-patient programs, as well as funding more research. But the plan doesn’t include specifics about expanding access to treatment for people addicted to opioids, and the price tag would likely spark opposition from fiscal conservatives. (Schneider and Ehley, 5/3)
And another Democratic hopeful enters the crowded field —
The New York Times:
Where Michael Bennet Stands On The Issues
Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, the 21st Democrat to declare his candidacy for president, is known as a moderate who seeks bipartisan compromise. Here’s where he stands on a few key issues. ... On health care, he and Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia recently introduced a bill that would create a public option called Medicare-X; Mr. Bennet said that he wanted “universal coverage” but that his model was “more practical” than the single-payer ones many other Democrats have come to support. He has specifically criticized “Medicare for all” proposals that would eliminate private insurance. (Astor, 5/2)
The Wall Street Journal:
Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet Enters 2020 Democratic Presidential Race
He has been an ardent defender of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare: He said during his 2010 Senate race that he was willing to lose his seat over his vote supporting it. But he has diverged from some Senate Democrats on a “Medicare for All” single-payer health-care plan, pressing instead for an expansion of Obamacare to include a government-run public option for people unable to get private insurance through their employer. (Thomas, 5/2)
