Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Legislation

Floor Speech

Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I introduce, along with my colleague, Senator Stabenow, the Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act.

Multiple research studies have shown that people with mental illness are at greater risk of preventable health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes and are more likely to die sooner than healthy individuals--in some instances up to 25 years sooner. In order to address this troubling trend, I authored language in the new health insurance reform law to ensure that individuals with multiple co-occurring mental, behavioral, and physical health conditions have access to a coordinated and integrated health care delivery system. Under this provision, Community Mental Health Centers are authorized to provide patients with mental, behavioral, and primary health care all in one location.

Recently, I was pleased to learn that two Community Mental Health Centers in Rhode Island received funding to begin to offer these co-located services. However, many Community Mental Health Centers are unable to provide this broader range of services due to the limited physical space they occupy. The Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act would authorize grants to states for the construction and modernization of these facilities. Indeed, for some Community Mental Health Centers, facility updates are the first step to enhancing patient care.

I am also pleased that this legislation has been included in a broader piece of legislation that I joined Senator Stabenow in introducing today, the Excellence in Mental Health Act. As a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, I will continue to work to include these important initiatives in legislation that renews and improves Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, programs.

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.

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