Nick Reisman reports at New York State of Politics that Rep. Paul Tonko unveiled proposed legislation last week that would expand Medicaid coverage for medication-assisted treatment for addiction. The Democrat, who represents Albany County and the 20th Congressional District, says he has bipartisan backing for the bill, as members of both party want to combat the rise in overdose deaths in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Currently, about 87 percent of people with an opioid use disorder do not receive medication-assisted treatment and studies have shown treatment for addiction can reduce the risk of overdose death. Tonko said, “Addressing the disease of addiction must include a compassionate response bolstered by the pillars of prevention, treatment, and recovery.... For years, I’ve pushed hard to ensure that individuals living with addiction have access to the treatments they need." Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.