DES MOINES – Kim Reynolds announced she will spend more money that Joe Biden and Democrats gave Iowa, this time a $17.5 million investment in opioid prevention and recovery programs for Iowans impacted by the ongoing opioid epidemic.
“I’m disappointed that a bill to spend a portion of Iowa’s opioid settlement money never reached my desk this session. As a result, $47.5 million remain unused in the fund,” said Governor Reynolds. “Since legislation was not passed, I’m leveraging federal funds to make this investment in the health and well-being of Iowans.”
– Governor Reynolds will obligate funding for some investments she proposed this legislative session:
$500,000 to an Opioid Use Prevention Campaign conducted by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
– (HHS) to raise awareness of the dangers of opioids and prevent their use
$1 million to an Opioid Prescription Prevention Program to provide training and nurse-trained technical assistance to physicians in prescribing opioids to surgery patients
– $10 million for a grant program administered by HHS and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to provide physical infrastructure and capacity building grants to treatment and recovery providers
– $3 million to complete the YSS Ember Recovery Campus in Cambridge, a residential addiction treatment center for teens age 12 to 18
– $3 million for a grant program conducted by HHS and Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) to build a network of available sober living environments
Funds for the investment are provided through the American Rescue Plan of 2021. Kim Reynolds fought this bill tooth and nail, joining the likes of Ashley Hinson, Marionette Miller-Meeks, Randy Feenstra and Joni Ernst. Only Charles Grassley supported the bill, which has brought countless millions of dollars worth of projects and programs to Iowa. The bill passed Congress with bi-partisan support, however, and was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
