Sen. Baldwin pushes for tax on opioid manufacturers to fund substance abuse treatment

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is pushing to tax opioid manufacturers to fund treatment options for substance abuse.

The Lifeboat Act would enact a one-cent fee on opioid manufacturers and importers for every milligram of active opioid ingredient in a prescription pain pill.

The pool of funds that tax would add would be used for outpatient treatment facilities, hiring mental health staff and expanding treatment programs overall.

Milwaukee County set a record for opioid overdoses last year.

Baldwin says this program is needed more than ever.

"The need for funding for treatment programs, outreach, prevention and recovery programs is desperate right now, and the Lifeboat Act would infuse a lot of additional money into those programs," Baldwin said.

The added tax would not apply to drugs for cancer treatment or for hospice patients.