WHAT:
The Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), held a hearing to get a status update on the implementation of the landmark mental health reforms included in the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures). The reforms were based largely on the bipartisan Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which previously passed the House in July 2016 as a standalone bill by a vote of 422-2.
WHY:
“Access to mental health and substance use disorder care, especially in the midst of an opioid epidemic, is vital to the overall health of our nation," said #SubHealth Chairman Burgess. “According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one in five adults in the United States experience mental illness per year. Of those adults suffering from mental illness, only 41 percent received mental health services in the past year."
“In a March funding bill which is now law, Congress provided critical funding for nearly 30 sections of provisions within Cures. These programs include: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, Mental and Behavioral Health Training Grants, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In addition, the bill also appropriated more than $2.3 billion in new funding for mental health programs and other training," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). “These are resources than can mean the difference between life and death."
WHO:
* Elinore McCance-Katz, Assistant Secretary, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (Opening Statement )
KEY MOMENTS:
Dr. McCance-Katz touted the unique role Cures plays in promoting access to mental health care services, as well as those battling substance use. In doing so, Dr. McCance-Katz highlighted the unprecedented nature of the some of the reforms now law through Cures.
“Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for individuals 15-24 years old. …At the same time, the highest rate of suicide in America is among adults 45-64 years old. Prior to the Cures Act, there was no authorized suicide prevention program for adults at SAMHSA. SAMHSA is grateful for the authorization of the adult suicide prevention program in the Cures Act and for Congress’ funding of the first program in FY 2017," said Dr. McCance-Katz.
#SubHealth Vice Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) questioned Dr. McCance-Katz about the Opioid State Targeted Response grants within Cures. Dr. McCance-Katz provided an update on the purpose behind the grants and how efforts through the use of these grants will have an immediate impact on communities - often providing assistance and resources on the spot. Watch the exchange here.
RESOURCES:
More information about Cures and its mental health provisions can be found here.
Next week, #SubHealth will continue its review of the implementation of Cures, with a focus on work being done by the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health.
The Majority Memorandum, witness testimony, and an archived webcast are available online HERE.
