Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - June 04, 2009)

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By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, and Mr. Whitehouse):

S. 1188. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to mental health services; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I introduce, along with Senators Murkowski and Whitehouse, the Community Mental Health Services Improvement Act. For decades, we have known that people suffering from mental illness die sooner--on average 25 years sooner--and have higher rates of disability than the general population. People with mental illness are at greater risk of preventable health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. With this legislation, we are taking steps to address these disturbing trends.

We know that mental health and physical health are inter-related. Yet historically mental health and physical health have been treated separately. This legislation would integrate care in one setting.

In a recent survey, 91 percent of community mental health centers said that improving the quality of health care is a priority. However, only one-third have the capacity to provide health care on site, and only one-fifth provide medical referrals off site. The centers identified a lack of financial resources as the biggest barrier to integrating treatment.

Accordingly, this legislation provides grants to integrate treatment for mental health, substance abuse, and primary and specialty care. Grantees can use the funds for screenings, basic health care services on site, referrals, or information technology.

This legislation also comprehensively responds to the well identified mental health workforce crisis by providing grants for a wide range of innovative recruitment and retention efforts, including loan forgiveness and repayment programs, to placement and support for new mental health professionals, and expanded mental health education and training programs.

Finally, this legislation provides grants for tele-mental health in medically-underserved areas, and invests in health IT for mental health providers. These proposals address the twin goals of improving the quality of mental
health treatment while expanding access to that treatment in rural and underserved areas.

This bipartisan legislation has the overwhelming support of the mental health community. It has been endorsed by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, the Campaign for Mental Health Reform, and the American Psychological Association. I am especially grateful for the support of the Rhode Island Council of Community Mental Health Organizations, whose members treat close to 15,000 Rhode Islanders of all ages.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, I look forward to our upcoming work on reforming our nation's health care system--and including important improvements to prevent and treat mental and physical illnesses and conditions. It is my hope that this year we can truly begin to address the challenge of comprehensively improving and expanding access to mental health services.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

S. 1188

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