Biden’s American Rescue Plan Steps In as Iowa Republicans Stall on Opioid Crisis

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$17.5 Million Allocated to Combat Opioid Epidemic After State GOP Fails to Act

DES MOINES, IA – In a significant move to address Iowa's opioid crisis, $17.5 million from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan will be used to support those affected by opioid addiction in Iowa. This funding comes after repeated calls from Iowa Democrats, who criticized Governor Kim Reynolds and state Republicans for their inaction on the issue during the 2024 legislative session.

Democratic Senator Janice Weiner Calls Out Republicans for Stalling

For the third consecutive year, millions of dollars intended to support substance abuse programs in Iowa have remained unused, accumulating in the state treasury. Democratic Senator Janice Weiner expressed frustration over the unallocated funds, which currently total $47.5 million, with more accruing each day due to interest and additional settlement payments from opioid manufacturers.

Weiner, in a guest column for the Gazette, highlighted the political maneuvering that has prevented these funds from being deployed to combat the opioid epidemic. "Republicans chose partisanship over relief for Iowans," Weiner said, emphasizing that political infighting has left vital resources untapped while opioid-related deaths continue to rise.

Reynolds Relies on Federal Aid Amid Legislative Deadlock

Despite the inaction at the state level, the American Rescue Plan funds will provide crucial support through various initiatives. The allocated funds will go to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Iowa Economic Development Authority, which will distribute the money to treatment and recovery providers to build new facilities or expand existing ones. Additional funding will support an Opioid Prescription Prevention Program to train doctors on responsible prescribing practices and a public awareness campaign to educate the public on the dangers of opioid use.

Rita Hart, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, expressed gratitude for the federal support. "I’m thankful to President Joe Biden for stepping in and providing Iowa with the resources we need to start helping Iowans who are affected by the opioid epidemic," Hart stated. She also pointed out the contrast between Democratic efforts and the lack of action from Iowa Republicans, who failed to respond adequately to what she called a deadly and growing crisis.

Petty Politics Block Iowa’s Opioid Response, Says Senator Weiner

Senator Weiner's criticism extends beyond the allocation of federal funds, pointing to a broader issue of partisan gridlock in the state legislature. She detailed how settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, which began flowing into the state treasury in 2021, have remained unused due to Republican lawmakers stripping Attorney General Tom Miller, a Democrat at the time, of the authority to distribute the funds. This move, according to Weiner, was an effort to prevent a Democratic official from gaining credit for addressing the crisis.

The 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions saw failed attempts by Republicans to pass bills that would allocate the funds, with disagreements over the establishment of an advisory board to ensure accountability in spending. While House Republicans and Democrats supported the measure, Senate Republicans resisted, resulting in a legislative stalemate. "The one clear conclusion we can draw from all this is that Republicans aren’t very interested in solving the opioid crisis in Iowa," Weiner asserted.

Looking Ahead: Democrats Push for Action in 2025

As the 2024 legislative session ends without a resolution, Senator Weiner and other Democratic leaders are calling on their Republican counterparts to prioritize the opioid crisis in the next session. Weiner urged legislative leaders to find a compromise and pass a bill to release the funds, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as opioid-related deaths continue to mount.

“The opioid epidemic has hit Iowa hard,” said Hart. “Democrats up and down the ballot have been working hard to try and pass legislation and resources to help combat the crisis. Enough of the politics. I call on legislative leaders to hammer out a compromise and make it a top priority when the next legislative session convenes in January.”