Congress releases its final opioids bill

• But those same experts say Washington still needs to make substantial investments — of money as well as policymaking energy — in the treatment system for mental health and substance abuse, in order to bring this crisis under control.

What's next: Both chambers are expected to pass the agreement quickly, sending it to President Trump for his signature in a matter of days.

The details: The bill is about the same as what we reported previously, and would...

• Temporarily lift a cap on Medicaid payments for large treatment facilities. States can allow those facilities to receive Medicaid funding, on a limited basis, for all substance abuse treatment.
• Allow more health care providers to prescribe medication-assisted therapies.

The pharmaceutical industry didn't get the Medicare "fix" it had been lobbying for.

Go deeper: Read the bill.