Us Congress Senate Bill SB1766

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/31/23
• Refer: 5/31/23

Caption

Department of Defense Overdose Data Act of 2023

Impact

The legislation is expected to influence state laws concerning health services and care for servicemembers. It necessitates the collection and analysis of data related to substance use disorders and overdoses, which currently may not be systematically gathered. This bill is crucial in creating pathways to enhance service delivery for those in the military facing potential substance misuse, providing an avenue for the identification of trends within military populations and potentially guiding future healthcare reforms.

Summary

SB1766, known as the Department of Defense Overdose Data Act of 2023, mandates the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report detailing the number of overdoses among military servicemembers. This act aims to improve understanding around overdoses, particularly focusing on the demographic details of affected servicemembers, including information related to mental health services accessed prior to overdoses. Further, the bill is designed to enhance data transparency regarding overdose occurrences within military environments.

Contention

Concerns regarding the accuracy and privacy of the data gathered under this bill have emerged. Critics argue that the collection of sensitive information may deter servicemembers from seeking help for substance use issues due to fears of stigma or repercussions. There is also contention regarding the effectiveness of mandatory reporting and whether it will genuinely lead to improved health outcomes or merely serve as a bureaucratic exercise without real impact on the ground.