Why it matters: The Nashville-area addiction treatment center is making its first foray into federal lobbying as Congress debates major legislation to combat the opioid crisis. Freeman Recovery Center’s entry comes at a critical time when lawmakers are considering reauthorizing key substance abuse programs and addressing proposed Medicaid cuts that could impact treatment funding.

By the numbers: Freeman Recovery Center filed a $0 lobbying registration for 2025 with Craftwork Government Affairs LLC, a firm that appears new to federal lobbying. The lobbying team includes Michael G. Curcio, a former Legislative Correspondent for Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH), and John William Gleason III. The center plans to lobby on 18 different issue areas spanning health care, Medicare/Medicaid, veterans affairs, and housing.

The agenda: Freeman Recovery Center intends to lobby on a sweeping array of issues including alcohol and drug abuse, health care, Medicare/Medicaid, veterans affairs, medical research, law enforcement, labor issues, economics, real estate, housing, pharmacy, transportation, civil rights, science/technology, small business, taxation, insurance, and welfare. This broad approach reflects the multifaceted nature of addiction treatment and the various policy areas that impact their operations.

Between the lines: The timing aligns with intense congressional activity on substance abuse issues. The House has already passed H.R.2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, which would reauthorize critical federal programs for addiction treatment. Senators like Tammy Baldwin and Chuck Schumer have vocally opposed proposed Medicaid cuts, emphasizing their importance for addiction treatment centers. Multiple hearings have focused on combating fentanyl and expanding treatment access, while other organizations in the addiction treatment space are already actively lobbying on similar issues.

The bottom line: Freeman Recovery Center’s lobbying debut positions the company to influence federal policy discussions around addiction treatment funding and access at a time when Congress is actively working on related legislation. Their comprehensive issue list suggests they’re preparing to engage on multiple fronts that could affect their operations and the broader treatment landscape.