9-8-8 and Parity Assistance Act of 2022
This bill modifies provisions to increase access to behavioral health services, with a focus on crisis services and the 9-8-8 telecommunication system. (The 9-8-8 system provides callers with mental health or suicide crisis support and resources through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and is scheduled to take effect by July 16, 2022.)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must award grants to crisis call centers for hiring and training staff and otherwise improving operations.
Further, SAMHSA must establish standards for a behavioral health crisis continuum of care that health care providers and communities may use in responding to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The continuum must include emergency treatment, stabilization, and related services.
Additionally, the bill (1) sets up an office within SAMHSA to coordinate behavioral health activities, (2) requires a national suicide prevention media campaign, and (3) establishes various grants. The grants include
The bill also expands certain behavioral health education and training programs to encompass education and training related to crisis management.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7232 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7232
To provide for improvements in the implementation of the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 28, 2022
Mr. Cardenas (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Blunt
Rochester, Mr. Moulton, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Beyer, and Mr. Raskin)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for improvements in the implementation of the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``9-8-8 and Parity
Assistance Act of 2022''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
TITLE I--SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 101. Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office.
Sec. 102. Regional and local lifeline call center program.
Sec. 103. Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership Pilot Program.
Sec. 104. National suicide prevention media campaign.
TITLE II--HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 201. Health center capital grants.
Sec. 202. Expanding behavioral health workforce training programs.
TITLE III--BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES EXPANSION
Sec. 301. Crisis response continuum of care.
TITLE IV--MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PARITY
IMPLEMENTATION
Sec. 401. Grants to support mental health and substance use disorder
parity implementation.
TITLE I--SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 101. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS COORDINATING OFFICE.
Part A of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 506B. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS COORDINATING OFFICE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant
Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall establish an
office to coordinate work relating to behavioral health crisis care
across the operating divisions of the Department of Health and Human
Services, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and
the Health Resources and Services Administration and external
stakeholders.
``(b) Duty.--The office established under subsection (a) shall--
``(1) convene Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private
partners;
``(2) launch and manage Federal workgroups charged with
making recommendations regarding behavioral health crisis
financing, workforce, equity, data, and technology, program
oversight, public awareness, and engagement; and
``(3) support technical assistance, data analysis, and
evaluation functions in order to develop a crisis care system
to establish nationwide standards with the objective of
expanding the capacity of, and access to, local crisis call
centers, mobile crisis care, crisis stabilization, psychiatric
emergency services, and rapid post-crisis follow-up care
provided by--
``(A) the National Suicide Prevention and Mental
Health Crisis Hotline and Response System;
``(B) community mental health centers (as defined
in section 1861(ff)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act);
``(C) certified community behavioral health
clinics, as described in section 223 of the Protecting
Access to Medicare Act of 2014; and
``(D) other community mental health and substance
use disorder providers.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2023 through 2027.''.
SEC. 102. REGIONAL AND LOCAL LIFELINE CALL CENTER PROGRAM.
Part B of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 520E-4 (42 U.S.C. 290bb-
36d) the following:
``SEC. 520E-5. REGIONAL AND LOCAL LIFELINE CALL CENTER PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to crisis call
centers described in section 302(c)(1) of the 9-8-8 Implementation and
Parity Assistance Act of 2022 to--
``(1) purchase or upgrade call center technology;
``(2) provide for training of call center staff;
``(3) improve call center operations; and
``(4) hiring of call center staff.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $441,000,000 for fiscal year
2023, to remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 103. MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE PARTNERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM.
Title V of the Public Health Service Act is amended (42 U.S.C.
290aa) by inserting after section 520F (42 U.S.C. 290bb-37) the
following:
``SEC. 520F-1. MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE PARTNERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot program
under which the Secretary will award competitive grants to eligible
entities to establish new, or enhance existing, mobile crisis response
teams that divert the response for mental health and substance use
crises from law enforcement to mobile crisis teams, as described in
subsection (b).
``(b) Mobile Crisis Teams Described.--A mobile crisis team
described in this subsection is a team of individuals--
``(1) that is available to respond to individuals in crisis
and provide immediate stabilization, referrals to community-
based mental health and substance use disorder services and
supports, and triage to a higher level of care if medically
necessary;
``(2) which may include licensed counselors, clinical
social workers, physicians, paramedics, crisis workers, peer
support specialists, or other qualified individuals; and
``(3) which may provide support to divert behavioral health
crisis calls from the 9-1-1 system to the 9-8-8 system.
``(c) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall prioritize applications which account for the specific
needs of the communities to be served, including children and families,
veterans, rural and underserved populations, and other groups at
increased risk of death from suicide or overdose.
``(d) Report.--
``(1) Initial report.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report on steps taken by eligible entities
as of such date of enactment to strengthen the partnerships
among mental health providers, substance use disorder treatment
providers, primary care physicians, mental health and substance
use crisis teams, and paramedics, law enforcement officers, and
other first responders.
``(2) Progress reports.--Not later than one year after the
date on which the first grant is awarded to carry out this
section, and for each year thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report on the grants made during the year
covered by the report, which shall include--
``(A) data on the teams and people served by such
programs, including demographic information of
individuals served, volume and types of service
utilization, linkage to community-based resources and
diversion from law enforcement settings, data
consistent with the State block grant requirements for
continuous evaluation and quality improvement, and
other relevant data as determined by the Secretary; and
``(B) the Secretary's recommendations and best
practices for--
``(i) States and localities providing
mobile crisis response and stabilization
services for youth and adults; and
``(ii) improvements to the program
established under this section.
``(e) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term `eligible entity'
means each of the following:
``(1) Community mental health centers (as defined in
section 1861(ff)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act).
``(2) Certified community behavioral health clinics
described in section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare
Act of 2014.
``(3) An entity that operates citywide, Tribal-wide, or
county-wide crisis response systems, including cities,
counties, Tribes, or a department or agency of a city, county,
or Tribe, including departments or agencies of social services,
disability services, health services, public health, or mental
health and substance disorder services.
``(4) A program of the Indian Health Service, whether
operated by such Service, an Indian Tribe (as that term is
defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement
Act), or by a Tribal organization (as that term is defined in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act) or a facility of the Native Hawaiian health
care systems authorized under the Native Hawaiian Health Care
Improvement Act.
``(5) A public, nonprofit, or other organization that--
``(A) can demonstrate the ability of such
organization to effectively provide community-based
alternatives to law enforcement; and
``(B) has a demonstrated involvement with the
identified communities to be served.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2023 through 2027.''.
SEC. 104. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MEDIA CAMPAIGN.
Subpart 3 of part B of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 290bb-31 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 520N. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MEDIA CAMPAIGN.
``(a) National Suicide Prevention Media Campaign.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than the date that is 3 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and
Substance Use and the Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (referred to in this section as the
`Director'), shall conduct a national suicide prevention media
campaign (referred to in this section as the `national media
campaign'), for purposes of--
``(A) preventing suicide in the United States;
``(B) educating families, friends, and communities
on how to address suicide and suicidal thoughts,
including when to encourage individuals with suicidal
risk to seek help; and
``(C) increasing awareness of suicide prevention
resources of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (including the suicide
prevention hotline maintained under section 520E-3, any
suicide prevention mobile application of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention or the Substance
Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, and other
support resources determined appropriate by the
Secretary).
``(2) Additional consultation.--In addition to consulting
with the Assistant Secretary and the Director under this
section, the Secretary shall consult with, as appropriate,
State, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments,
primary health care providers, hospitals with emergency
departments, mental and behavioral health services providers,
crisis response services providers, paramedics, law
enforcement, suicide prevention and mental health
professionals, patient advocacy groups, survivors of suicide
attempts, and representatives of television and social media
platforms in planning the national media campaign to be
conducted under paragraph (1).
``(b) Target Audiences.--
``(1) Tailoring advertisements and other communications.--
In conducting the national media campaign under subsection
(a)(1), the Secretary may tailor culturally competent
advertisements and other communications of the campaign across
all available media for a target audience (such as a particular
geographic location or demographic) across the lifespan.
``(2) Targeting certain local areas.--The Secretary shall,
to the maximum extent practicable, use amounts made available
under subsection (f) for media that targets certain local areas
or populations at disproportionate risk for suicide.
``(c) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Required uses.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall, if
reasonably feasible with the funds made available under
subsection (f), carry out the following, with respect
to the national media campaign:
``(i) Testing and evaluation of
advertising.
``(ii) Evaluation of the effectiveness of
the national media campaign.
``(iii) Operational and management
expenses.
``(iv) The creation of an educational
toolkit for television and social media
platforms to use in discussing suicide and
raising awareness about how to prevent suicide.
``(B) Specific requirements.--
``(i) Testing and evaluation of
advertising.--In testing and evaluating
advertising under subparagraph (A)(i), the
Secretary shall test all advertisements after
use in the national media campaign to evaluate
the extent to which such advertisements have
been effective in carrying out the purposes of
the national media campaign.
``(ii) Evaluation of effectiveness of
national media campaign.--In evaluating the
effectiveness of the national media campaign
under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary
shall--
``(I) take into account the number
of unique calls that are made to the
suicide prevention hotline maintained
under section 520E-3 and assess whether
there are any State and regional
variations with respect to the capacity
to answer such calls;
``(II) take into account the number
of unique encounters with suicide
prevention and support resources of the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration
and assess engagement with such suicide
prevention and support resources;
``(III) assess whether the national
media campaign has contributed to
increased awareness that suicidal
individuals should be engaged, rather
than ignored; and
``(IV) take into account such other
measures of evaluation as the Secretary
determines are appropriate.
``(2) Optional uses.--The Secretary may use amounts made
available under subsection (f) for the following, with respect
to the national media campaign:
``(A) Partnerships with professional and civic
groups, community-based organizations, including faith-
based organizations, and Federal agencies or Tribal
organizations that the Secretary determines have
experience in suicide prevention, including the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
``(B) Entertainment industry outreach, interactive
outreach, media projects and activities, the
dissemination of public information, news media
outreach, outreach through television programs, and
corporate sponsorship and participation.
``(d) Prohibitions.--None of the amounts made available under
subsection (f) may be obligated or expended for any of the following:
``(1) To supplant Federal suicide prevention campaigns in
effect as of the date of the enactment of this section.
``(2) For partisan political purposes, or to express
advocacy in support of or to defeat any clearly identified
candidate, clearly identified ballot initiative, or clearly
identified legislative or regulatory proposal.
``(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after
implementation of the national media campaign has begun, the Secretary,
in coordination with the Assistant Secretary and the Director, shall,
with respect to the first year of the national media campaign, submit
to Congress a report that describes--
``(1) the strategy of the national media campaign and
whether specific objectives of such campaign were accomplished,
including whether such campaign impacted the number of calls
made to lifeline crisis centers and the capacity of such
centers to manage such calls;
``(2) steps taken to ensure that the national media
campaign operates in an effective and efficient manner
consistent with the overall strategy and focus of the national
media campaign;
``(3) plans to purchase advertising time and space;
``(4) policies and practices implemented to ensure that
Federal funds are used responsibly to purchase advertising time
and space and eliminate the potential for waste, fraud, and
abuse; and
``(5) all contracts entered into with a corporation, a
partnership, or an individual working on behalf of the national
media campaign.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--For purposes of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.
TITLE II--HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 201. HEALTH CENTER CAPITAL GRANTS.
Subpart 1 of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 254b et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 330O. HEALTH CENTER CAPITAL GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to eligible
entities for capital projects.
``(b) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term `eligible entity'
is an entity that is--
``(1) a health center funded under section 330, or in the
case of a Tribe or Tribal organization, eligible, to be awarded
without regard to the time limitation in subsection (e)(3) and
subsections (e)(6)(A)(iii), (e)(6)(B)(iii), and (r)(2)(B) of
such section; or
``(2) a mental health and substance use crisis receiving
and stabilization program and crisis call center described in
section 302(c)(1) of the 9-8-8 Implementation and Parity
Assistance Act of 2022 that have a working relationship with
one or more local community mental health and substance use
organizations, community mental health centers, and certified
community behavioral health clinics, or other local mental
health and substance use care providers, including inpatient
and residential treatment settings.
``(c) Use of Funds.--Amounts made available to a recipient of a
grant or cooperative agreement pursuant to subsection (a) shall be used
for crisis response program facility alteration, renovation,
remodeling, expansion, construction, and other capital improvement
costs, including the costs of amortizing the principal of, and paying
interest on, loans for such purposes.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000,000, to remain
available until expended.''.
SEC. 202. EXPANDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS.
Section 756 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294e-1) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``crisis
management (such as at a crisis call center, as part of
a mobile crisis team, or through crisis receiving and
stabilization program),'' after ``occupational
therapy,'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and providing
crisis management services (such as at a crisis call
center, as part of a mobile crisis team, or through
crisis receiving and stabilization program)'' after
``treatment services,'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and providing
crisis management services (such as at a crisis call
center, as part of a mobile crisis team, or through
crisis receiving and stabilization program),'' after
``behavioral health services''; and
(D) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``including for
the provision of crisis management services (such as at
a crisis call center, as part of a mobile crisis team,
or through crisis receiving and stabilization
program),'' after ``paraprofessional field'';
(2) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``or that emphasize
training in crisis management and meeting the crisis needs of
diverse populations specified in (b)(2), including effective
outreach and engagement'' after ``partnerships''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Additional Funding.--
``(1) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2023 through
2027, in addition to funding made available under subsection
(f), there are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for
workforce development for crisis management, as specified in
paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a).
``(2) Priority.--In making grants for the purpose specified
in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to programs
demonstrating effective recruitment and retention efforts for
individuals and groups from different racial, ethnic, cultural,
geographic, religious, linguistic, and class backgrounds, and
different genders and sexual orientations, as specified in
subsection (b)(2).''.
TITLE III--BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES EXPANSION
SEC. 301. CRISIS RESPONSE CONTINUUM OF CARE.
Subpart 3 of part B of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 290bb-31 et seq.), as amended by section 106, is further amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 520O. CRISIS RESPONSE CONTINUUM OF CARE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish standards for a
continuum of care for use by health care providers and communities in
responding to individuals, including children and adolescents,
experiencing mental health crises, substance related crises, and crises
arising from co-occurring disorders (referred to in this section as the
`crisis response continuum').
``(b) Requirements.--
``(1) Scope of standards.--The standards established under
subsection (a) shall define--
``(A) minimum requirements of core crisis services,
as determined by the Secretary, to include requirements
that each entity that furnishes such services should--
``(i) not require prior authorization from
an insurance provider nor referral from a
health care provider prior to the delivery of
services;
``(ii) serve all individuals regardless of
age or ability to pay;
``(iii) operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, and provide care to all individuals; and
``(iv) provide care and support through
resources described in paragraph (2)(A) until
the individual has been stabilized or transfer
the individual to the next level of crisis
care; and
``(B) psychiatric stabilization, including the
point at which a case may be closed for--
``(i) individuals screened over the phone;
and
``(ii) individuals stabilized on the scene
by mobile teams.
``(2) Identification of essential functions.--The Secretary
shall identify the essential functions of each service in the
crisis response continuum, which shall include at least the
following:
``(A) Identification of resources for referral and
enrollment in continuing mental health, substance use,
or other human services relevant for the individual in
crisis where necessary.
``(B) Delineation of access and entry points to
services within the crisis response continuum.
``(C) Development of and adherence to protocols and
agreements for the transfer and receipt of individuals
to and from other segments of the crisis response
continuum segments as needed, and from outside
referrals including health care providers, law
enforcement, EMS, fire, education institutions, and
community-based organizations.
``(D) Description of the qualifications of crisis
services staff, including roles for physicians,
licensed clinicians, case managers, and peers (in
accordance with State licensing requirements or
requirements applicable to Tribal health
professionals).
``(E) Requirements for the convening of
collaborative meetings of crisis response service
providers, first responders, such as paramedics and law
enforcement, and community partners (including National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline or 9-8-8 call centers, 9-1-
1 public service answering points, and local mental
health and substance use disorder treatment providers)
operating in a common region for the discussion of case
management, best practices, and general performance
improvement.
``(3) Service capacity and quality standards.--Such
standards shall include definitions of--
``(A) adequate volume of services to meet
population need;
``(B) appropriate timely response; and
``(C) capacity to meet the needs of different
patient populations who may experience a mental health
or substance use crisis, including children, families,
and all age groups, cultural and linguistic minorities,
individuals with co-occurring mental health and
substance use disorders, individuals with cognitive
disabilities, individuals with developmental delays,
and individuals with chronic medical conditions and
physical disabilities.
``(4) Oversight and accreditation.--The Secretary shall
designate entities charged with the oversight and accreditation
of entities within the crisis response continuum.
``(5) Implementation timeframe.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary shall
establish the standards under this section.
``(6) Data collection and evaluations.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary, directly or
through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements,
shall collect data and conduct evaluations with respect
to the provision of services and programs offered on
the crisis response continuum for purposes of assessing
the extent to which the provision of such services and
programs meet certain objectives and outcomes measures
as determined by the Secretary. Such objectives shall
include--
``(i) a reduction in reliance on law
enforcement response to individuals in crisis
who would be more appropriately served by a
mobile crisis team capable of responding to
mental health and substance related crises;
``(ii) a reduction in boarding or extended
holding of patients in emergency room
facilities who require further psychiatric
care, including care for substance use
disorders;
``(iii) evidence of adequate access to
crisis care centers and crisis bed services;
and
``(iv) evidence of adequate linkage to
appropriate post-crisis care and longitudinal
treatment for mental health or substance use
disorder when relevant.
``(B) Rulemaking.--The Secretary shall carry out
this subsection through notice and comment rulemaking,
following a request for information from stakeholders.
``(c) Components of Crisis Response Continuum.--The crisis response
continuum consists of at least the following components:
``(1) Crisis call centers.--Regional clinically managed
crisis call centers that provide telephonic crisis intervention
capabilities. Such centers should meet National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline operational guidelines regarding suicide
risk assessment and engagement and offer air traffic control-
quality coordination of crisis care in real-time.
``(2) Mobile crisis response team.--Teams of providers that
are available to reach any individual in the service area in
their home, workplace, school, physician's office or outpatient
treatment setting, or any other community-based location of the
individual in crisis in a timely manner.
``(3) Crisis receiving and stabilization facilities.--
Subacute inpatient facilities and other facilities specified by
the Secretary that provide short-term observation and crisis
stabilization services to all referrals, including the
following services:
``(A) 23-hour crisis stabilization services.--A
direct care service that provides individuals in severe
distress with up to 23 consecutive hours of supervised
care to assist with deescalating the severity of their
crisis or need for urgent care in a subacute inpatient
setting.
``(B) Short-term crisis residential services.--A
direct care service that assists with deescalating the
severity of an individual's level of distress or need
for urgent care associated with a substance use or
mental health disorder in a residential setting.
``(4) Mental health and substance use urgent care
facilities.--Ambulatory services available 12-24 hours per day,
7 days a week, where individuals experiencing crisis can walk
in without an appointment to receive crisis assessment, crisis
intervention, medication, and connection to continuity of care.
``(5) Additional facilities and providers.--The Secretary
shall specify additional facilities and health care providers
as part of the crisis response continuum, as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(d) Relationship to State Law.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the standards
established under this section are minimum standards and
nothing in this section may be construed to preclude a State
from establishing additional standards, so long as such
standards are not inconsistent with the requirements of this
section or other applicable law.
``(2) Waiver or modification.--The Secretary shall
establish a process under which a State may request a waiver or
modification of a standard established under this section.''.
TITLE IV--MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PARITY
IMPLEMENTATION
SEC. 401. GRANTS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
PARITY IMPLEMENTATION.
(a) In General.--Section 2794(c) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 300gg-94(c)) (as added by section 1003 of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(3) Parity implementation.--
``(A) In general.--Beginning 60 days after the date
of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall
award grants to States to implement the mental health
and substance use disorder parity provisions of section
2726, provided that in order to receive such a grant, a
State is required to request and review from health
insurance issuers offering group or individual health
insurance coverage the comparative analyses and other
information required of such health insurance issuers
under subsection (a)(8)(A) of such section 2726
regarding the design and application of nonquantitative
treatment limitations imposed on mental health or
substance use disorder benefits.
``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--For
purposes of awarding grants under subparagraph (A),
there are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for
each of the first five fiscal years beginning after the
date of the enactment of this paragraph.''.
(b) Technical Amendment.--Section 2794 of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-95), as added by section 6603 of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) is redesignated
as section 2795.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line