[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 19 (Thursday, February 7, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S526-S527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Stabenow):
  S. 265. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide 
grants for community-based mental health infrastructure improvement; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I introduce, along with my colleague, 
Senator Stabenow, the Community Based Mental Health Infrastructure 
Improvements Act.
  According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a survey 
conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration in 2011, Rhode Island has the highest rate of serious 
mental illness among adults in the country. According to this survey, 
approximately 7.2 percent of adults aged 18 or older in my state have a 
serious mental illness, above the 4.6 percent national average.
  While too often the stigma of mental illness prevents individuals 
from seeking diagnosis and treatment, thankfully, states like Rhode 
Island have made strides in meeting this challenge. In Rhode Island, 
mental health parity laws have been on the books since 2001. Similarly, 
Rhode Island's Medicaid program, RIteCare, covers mental and behavioral 
health care for low-income children and families.

[[Page S527]]

  Those who need this treatment must have access to it. Community 
Mental Health Centers play a vital role in helping individuals get the 
mental and behavioral health care that they need to lead healthier, 
more productive lives. In 2012, Community Mental Health Centers in 
Rhode Island treated approximately 45,000 individuals at over 1 million 
distinct encounters. Next year, the number of individuals treated by 
Community Mental Health Centers will likely increase, as over 50,000 
Rhode Islanders gain access to health insurance.
  As more Americans across the country gain access to health insurance, 
these centers and other providers will see an increased caseload. Yet, 
many Community Mental Health Centers are in outdated and outmoded 
facilities that make if difficult to provide the optimal level of care.
  The Community Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act we 
are introducing today would support the necessary updates and 
expansions of some facilities, and the construction of entirely new 
facilities in other instances in order to meet the growing demand.
  I am pleased that this legislation has also been included in a 
broader bill, the Excellence in Mental Health Act, which I joined 
Senators Stabenow, Blunt, Boxer, Collins, Leahy and Rubio in 
introducing today, to make other updates to the way Community Mental 
Health Centers are reimbursed for services. I look forward to working 
with my colleagues to address the critical needs of our mental and 
behavioral health care delivery system.

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