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Delegation Says Granite State Isn’t Getting Fair Share of Opioid Funds

Allegra Boverman for NHPR
U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H.

New Hampshire's Congressional delegation says the state isn't getting its fair share of federal funds aimed at stemming the opioid epidemic.

 

The 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law under President Obama, will bring $485 million to the national opioid fight this year. New Hampshire is getting about $3 million of that.

Congresswoman Annie Kuster said she's disappointed at the amount and that the distribution method should take into account the state's rate of overdose deaths.

 

"We tried to write the formula in such a way that it would be focused on the states hardest hit, but my understanding is that the administration used a more traditional formula that focuses on population," Kuster said.

 

Last year, Kuster helped introduce a bill that would take deaths per capita into account when allocating funds.

 

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen had similar remarks on the 21st Century Cures Act allocation in a recent statement:

“Unfortunately, considering the severity of the opioid crisis in New Hampshire, not enough of this initial funding is directed to our state, which is why I’ve been adamant in budget negotiations that more money go to areas with high overdose death rates,” Shaheen said.

 

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