Pascrell’s Lifesaving Anti-Opioids Bill Advanced by Energy & Commerce Committee

Renewed funding for ALTO program developed in Paterson hospital reported to full House

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today thanked his colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee for their reauthorization of his Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department Act. Led by Pascrell, ALTO encourages the use of non-opioid treatments in emergency departments throughout the country. Language from Pascrell’s bill, the bipartisan H.R.4846, the ALTO Reauthorization Act, to upgrade the ALTO program from a pilot to a full permanent program was included in H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022, approved by the full committee earlier today.

“I’m grateful that my friend Chairman Frank Pallone and his Energy and Commerce Colleagues have swiftly agreed to renew funding for my ALTO program,” said Congressman Pascrell. “Opioids have had a dire and devastating effect on communities nationwide. My ALTO program takes the fight directly to the source and helps save lives. I am thrilled the Energy and Commerce Committee has agreed to make the program permanent and reauthorize it for another five years. I now look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure ALTO’s reauthorization is approved by the full House of Representatives.”

The ALTO Demonstration program is modeled on an initiative pioneered by St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey that reduces the use of opioids in emergency departments. Congressman Pascrell was the primary sponsor of H.R. 5197 which established the ALTO program and has worked to increase annual funding for the program since its enactment. He most recently led the request for $10 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2023. Pascrell was joined on the original bill by Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), David B. McKinley (R-WV-01), and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-02).

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