[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PREVENTIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SCREENING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2009

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, as we continue to craft a meaningful, 
necessary reform of our health care system, we must continue to embrace 
prevention, the provision of whole-body care, and the reversal of the 
current ``sick-care'' system. With this in mind, I respectfully ask you 
to ensure that screening for mental health and substance abuse is 
included as one of the preventative services proposed by the America's 
Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.
  The pervasiveness of mental illness and substance abuse in our 
society continues to be disconcerting. In 2007, over 20 million 
individuals were diagnosed with substance dependence or abuse. However, 
less than 10 percent received treatment for their disorders. By some 
estimates, the societal health and economic costs of alcohol and drug 
abuse are estimated at $366 billion per year. Conversely, screening has 
an estimated net savings of $294 per person offered screening.
  Extensive data documents that drug and alcohol addiction treatment is 
as effective as treatment for other chronic medical conditions such as 
cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Substance addiction, like cancer, 
diabetes, and heart disease, is a preventable and treatable chronic 
disease. Likewise, mental illnesses are among the most expensive and 
disabling chronic diseases. Severe mental illnesses are estimated to 
cost the U.S. $193 billion in lost wages in 2002. The World Health 
Organization has pronounced mental health disorders to be the leading 
cause of disability in the U.S. based on burden of disease. Moreover, 
mental illnesses often accompany and greatly increase the cost of 
treating other chronic conditions. Tragically, individuals with serious 
mental illness have a life expectancy of 25 years less than general 
population.
  Currently, mental health and substance abuse screening tools, such as 
Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT or SBI), 
are being used effectively in many academic centers, hospitals, trauma 
centers and community health settings across the country. A cost 
assessment conducted of SBIRT in Washington State demonstrated a cost 
savings for the State of $2 million in Medicaid costs for just 1,000 
patients. SBIRT is already effectively being used by the Federal 
Employees Health Benefits Program, and the Center for Medicare Services 
has also allocated approximately $300 million for states specifically 
for reimbursement of SBIRT. I look forward to continuing to work with 
my colleagues to ensure that this life-saving preventative strategy is 
included in the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.

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