Timing for Senate Opioids Package Still Unclear

The Senate could move to pass a massive package of measures to address the nation’s opioid epidemic in August, but the effort faces political and policy hurdles.

The heads of three Senate committees, led by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), are working to stitch together opioids legislation their panels approved earlier this year. They’re also negotiating with lawmakers outside their committees on added measures, namely relaxing Medicaid’s ban on inpatient drug rehabs and limiting initial opioid prescriptions.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said the Senate could take up the opioids package in August but hasn’t ...