Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act
Summary
The "Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act" aims to include Puerto Rico in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) beginning in fiscal year 2026. This inclusion would amend Section 505(d) of the Public Health Service Act. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to provide comprehensive data on substance use and health in Puerto Rico. This data can then be used to inform policy decisions, allocate resources, and develop targeted interventions to address substance use and related health issues within the territory.
Potential Benefits
- Improved data collection on substance use and health in Puerto Rico.
- Better-informed policy decisions regarding public health in Puerto Rico.
- More effective allocation of resources to address substance use issues.
- Development of targeted interventions based on accurate data.
- Potential for improved health outcomes for residents of Puerto Rico.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with expanding the NSDUH to include Puerto Rico.
- Possible privacy concerns related to data collection, although standard protocols should mitigate this.
- Risk that data may be misinterpreted or misused for political purposes.
- Potential for increased administrative burden on the agencies responsible for conducting the survey.
- The survey data may not fully capture the nuances of substance use within specific communities in Puerto Rico.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble) by aiming to improve public health through data collection. Congress has the power to enact legislation necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers (Article I, Section 8), which includes collecting data to inform healthcare policy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).