Improving Mental Health Access From the Emergency Department Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1205, Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act of 2021, sponsored by Representative Ruiz.

This bill authorizes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to emergency departments for the purpose of supporting follow-up services to patients that present in the emergency department in mental health crisis.

According to SAMHSA's National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care, there is a disconnect in the provision of follow-up services regarding what comes next for patients experiencing a mental health crisis in the emergency department.

If a patient comes in with appendicitis, the emergency room physician can call a surgeon. If the patient has a rash, the emergency department has a roster of dermatologists in clinics; and, in many cases, the physician can even make an appointment for the patient. These partnerships don't always exist for mental health illness.

By authorizing grants to support programs that help those treated at emergency departments expeditiously transition to follow-on care, this bill will remove barriers to care for those experiencing an acute mental health crisis, reduce stigma, and ultimately save lives.

Madam Speaker, one of the great things I have learned being a Member of the House of Representatives is that we have 435 people from all walks of life and they bring all their life experiences to us and create some important legislation.

Dr. Ruiz is an emergency room physician. He knows this firsthand. We are colleagues on the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I know he is passionate about it because it does save lives if we get people the assistance they need.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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