Senate Passes Bill Providing $1 Billion for Prevention and Treatment of Opioid Addiction

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes $1 billion in new funding to prevent and treat opioid addiction. The House approved the measure last week.

The legislation includes funding for cancer research and mental health treatment, and will help the Food and Drug Administration speed up drug approvals. The measure also aims to improve the use of technology in medicine. The legislation passed 94 to 5, according to The New York Times.

President Obama issued a statement praising passage of the bill. He said, “The Cures Act makes important investments that will save lives.”