[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 123 (Monday, July 23, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6592-H6595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018
Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2345) to require the Federal Communications Commission to study
the feasibility of designating a simple, easy-to-remember dialing code
to be used for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis
hotline system, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2345
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Suicide Hotline
Improvement Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Communications Commission;
(2) the term ``covered dialing code'' means a simple, easy-
to-remember, 3-digit dialing code; and
(3) the term ``N11 dialing code'' means an abbreviated
dialing code consisting of 3 digits, of which--
(A) the first digit may be any digit other than ``1'' or
``0''; and
(B) each of the last 2 digits is ``1''.
SEC. 3. STUDIES AND REPORTS.
(a) Primary Study.--
(1) In general.--The Commission, in coordination with the
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a study
that--
(A) examines the feasibility of designating an N11 dialing
code or other covered dialing code to be used for a national
suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system;
and
(B) analyzes the effectiveness of the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline as of the date on which the study is
initiated, including how well the lifeline is working to
address the needs of veterans.
(2) Requirements.--
(A) Commission.--In conducting the study under paragraph
(1), the Commission shall--
(i) consider--
(I) each of the N11 dialing codes, including the codes that
are used for other purposes; and
(II) other covered dialing codes;
(ii) consult with the North American Numbering Council; and
(iii) review the information provided by the Assistant
Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subparagraphs (B) and
(C), respectively, of this paragraph.
(B) SAMHSA study and report to assist commission.--To
assist the Commission in conducting the study under paragraph
(1), the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance
Use shall analyze and, not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, report to the Commission on--
(i) the potential impact of the designation of an N11
dialing code, or other covered dialing code, for a suicide
prevention and mental health crisis hotline system on--
(I) suicide prevention;
(II) crisis services; and
(III) other suicide prevention and mental health crisis
hotlines, including--
(aa) the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; and
(bb) the Veterans Crisis Line; and
(ii) possible recommendations for improving the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline generally, which may include--
(I) increased public education and awareness; and
(II) improved infrastructure and operations.
(C) VA study and report to assist commission.--To assist
the Commission in conducting the study under paragraph (1),
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall study and, not later
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, report
to the Commission on how well the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line, as in effect on the
date on which the study is initiated, is working to address
the needs of veterans.
(b) Primary Commission Report.--
[[Page H6593]]
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission, in coordination with
the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall submit a report
on the study conducted under subsection (a) that recommends
whether a particular N11 dialing code or other covered
dialing code should be used for a national suicide prevention
and mental health crisis hotline system to--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives; and
(E) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Additional contents.--If the report submitted by the
Commission under paragraph (1) recommends that a dialing code
should be used, the report shall also--
(A) outline the logistics of designating such a dialing
code;
(B) estimate the costs associated with designating such a
dialing code, including--
(i) the costs incurred by service providers, including--
(I) translation changes in the network; and
(II) cell site analysis and reprogramming by wireless
carriers; and
(ii) the costs incurred by States and localities;
(C) provide recommendations for designating such a dialing
code;
(D) provide a cost-benefit analysis comparing the
recommended dialing code with the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline, as in effect on the date on which the report is
submitted; and
(E) make other recommendations, as appropriate, for
improving the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline generally,
which may include--
(i) increased public education and awareness; and
(ii) improved infrastructure and operations.
SEC. 4. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this Act. This Act shall be carried out using
amounts otherwise authorized.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Lance) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2345, the National
Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018. This critical legislation
seeks to designate a new, easy-to-remember, three-digit dialing code
for a national suicide prevention hotline.
We all know by heart to dial 911 during an emergency, and we have
faith and confidence that somebody who can help will be on the line. It
shouldn't be any different for someone in a mental health crisis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide
is on the rise across the country. Sadly, more than half of those who
die by suicide do not have a known mental health condition.
We also want to make note of the number of servicemembers and
veterans in need of prevention services. We will work with our minority
on this study to review how these patriots can seek help, whether
stateside or overseas.
You never truly know what battles an individual is fighting, and that
is why a national three-digit suicide hotline could help make the
difference between life and death.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to advancing this potentially lifesaving
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2345, the National Suicide
Hotline Improvement Act.
Suicide is now the tenth leading cause for death in adults aged 18 to
64, and, for every suicide, there are 25 attempts. Earlier this year,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that suicide rates
increased by 28 percent between 1999 and 2016. Mr. Speaker, 49 States
experienced an increase in suicide rates during that period.
As my colleague said, we also know that the risk is significantly
higher for veterans. Veteran men are at a 19 percent higher risk, and
veteran women are at a 2\1/2\ times higher risk than nonveteran women.
These statistics point to a problem that is all too real and, sadly,
all too common. That fact was evident last month when, unfortunately,
both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, both very successful in their
careers, took their own lives.
It is heartbreaking when someone is suffering so much that they
choose to end their own life. Unfortunately, I know it in my own
family, when people are afraid to reach out.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act before us
today would make it easier for people wanting to connect with someone
through that hotline. The bill would set up a process to give Americans
an easy-to-remember, three-digit code, like 911, to call when they or
their loved one are in crisis, rather than the current 10-digit number.
The bill would also require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration to study the effectiveness of the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline, currently known as 1-800-273-TALK, and the
Department of Veterans Affairs would be required to study the
effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis Line.
The Senate has passed a companion bill by unanimous consent. H.R.
2345 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill, and I want to thank the
authors, Congressman Chris Stewart of Utah and Congresswoman Eddie
Bernice Johnson of Texas, for the very hard work and leadership they
put into this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it today, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart), the sponsor of this legislation.
Mr. STEWART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friends from New
Jersey and Michigan for their help on this important bill.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin with a startling statistic. Every
9 minutes, someone in the United States attempts suicide or is
successful, and for every suicide-related death, there are 25 attempts.
These are truly heartbreaking statistics. Sadly, they hit close to home
in Utah, which ranks fifth for the highest suicide deaths in the U.S.
One example is Madison Radtke, a charitable and loving young lady who
unexpectedly took her own life. I have gotten to know Madison's family,
and it has been an honor to do so. Madison is remembered for her
kindness to others and for her ability to see the good in each person.
Here is something that is startling and should be terrifying to those
of us who are parents: Madison didn't show any sign of suicidal
thoughts. To others around her, she seemed to be making the most of the
prime of her life.
This is a sad reminder that suicide can strike anywhere. These are
our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, our family members. I
believe that we have the power and we have the responsibility to reach
out and to help them. Yes, there are many tools available for people
who are struggling with mental illness or thoughts of suicide, but,
tragically, some of these resources are simply too difficult to find in
a time of urgent need.
{time} 1415
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline dialing number is cumbersome
and is very hard to remember, and most people have never even heard of
it. Additionally, in Utah and many other States, there are various
other entities that provide service, but there is not one consolidated
number for people to call.
After the recent passing, as has been mentioned, of Kate Spade and
Anthony Bourdain, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
jumped 25 percent. While the hotline number has increased access, I
know we can do better, and that is the purpose of this bill. This is
where Congress can help.
I introduced the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act to
streamline and to provide easy access to potentially lifesaving
resources by designating a new and very simple national
[[Page H6594]]
three-digit dialing number, very similar to 911, for national suicide
prevention and mental health crisis.
The study will also examine the overall effectiveness of the current
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line for
individuals both here and abroad and their access to that. Ultimately,
the report will recommend ways to improve the existing system.
I recognize this legislation alone is not a panacea. It is not going
to solve every problem. There is much more that we can do and we must
do, and some of the solutions will require a multifaceted approach; but
it is an important step and one that has the potential to avert
tragedy, such as the loss of Madison, and to save many lives.
For those of us who have seen firsthand and been impacted by the
tragedy of suicide or attempted suicide, it is simply time for us to
act.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the cosponsor of this legislation.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
support of H.R. 2345, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act, and
I want to thank Mr. Stewart and the committee leaders for the hard work
in presenting this on the floor today.
This bipartisan legislation asks the Federal Communications
Commission and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration to study the designation of a three-digit dialing code
similar to 911. Even 3-year-olds can remember 911. When a family is in
crisis, an 800 number sometimes is difficult to remember.
The suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system makes
it all American because we are faced with these kinds of incidences
many times every day. The bill also requires them to perform a cost-
and-benefit service analysis of using a three-digit dialing code for a
national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system and
examine the overall effectiveness of the current National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line and recommend ways to
improve the current system.
Each year, 45,000 Americans take their own life, an average of 123
completed suicides every day, and an additional 1 million-plus
Americans attempt suicide each year. While there are many resources for
individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, it can be difficult to
find these resources during this extreme time of need.
The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has increased
access, but the dialing code can be cumbersome to remember, 1-800-273-
TALK. Just try to remember dialing that many digits.
Unfortunately, in many States where there are numerous entities
providing services, there is not always one consolidated number to
call. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act is an
important step to achieve that end. This legislation will build upon
the success of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to increase
access to lifesaving services while evaluating new and innovative ways
to improve the current system. It is critical that we move quickly on
this bill so that we can begin saving more lives each day.
Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, this is important legislation. It is
completely bipartisan in nature.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Bilirakis), a distinguished member of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Vice Chairman.
Mr. Speaker, we have all heard the upsetting statistic of 21 veterans
committing suicide each and every day. It is unacceptable. This is a
crisis for our veterans, their families, the future of our current
servicemembers, and our country.
As vice chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have worked to
make it a better and healthier life for our true American heroes. That
is why I am proud to support H.R. 2345, the National Suicide Hotline
Improvement Act.
When a veteran is in crisis, they need immediate assistance from the
Veterans Crisis Hotline. Unfortunately, the current suicide hotline
number can be difficult to remember during a time of need and can add
minutes to getting help or, even worse, discourage veterans from
accessing this important service.
H.R. 2345 would study the feasibility and need of a three-digit
dialing code, similar to 911, for the suicide hotline. The bill also
studies the effectiveness of the hotline for our Nation's veterans.
This study is an important step in recognizing suicidal thoughts as
an emergency, providing those in need the most reliable tools to get
help, and continuing to improve a hotline that has already saved
countless lives, including many veterans.
For these reasons, I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 2345 and support its
passage.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers. So I would
like to say that perhaps, today, this House can act together and save a
life, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2345.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that this bipartisan piece of
legislation has reached the floor of the House. I hope and trust that
it will be voted on in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion, and I
commend the sponsors, a Republican and a Democrat, for working together
on this needed legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2345, the
``National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act,'' which provides resources
to improve suicide hotlines in the United States.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical that we address the public heath crisis
of suicide in the United States.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States--each
year, 44,965 Americans die by suicide, more than half by firearm.
On average, 123 Americans commit suicide each day.
The 2016 annual age-adjusted suicide rate in my state of Texas was
12.57 per 100,000 individuals, which was similar to the national
average for that year.
However, there has been a steady increase in suicides in the decade
since 2007, when the suicide rate was 10.48 per 100,000.
Suicides in Texas have increased by 23 percent over the past 15
years.
The steady increase coincides with new data that names suicide as the
second leading cause of death among people ages 10-34 in America.
Even more alarming are rates of suicide among our veterans--those who
have given the ultimate sacrifice and deserve protection tantamount to
their service.
According to a Veterans Affairs study released last year, risk for
suicide was 22 percent higher among veterans when compared to U.S. non-
veteran adults.
After adjusting for differences in age, risk for suicide was 19
percent higher among male veterans when compared to U.S. non-veteran
adult men.
After adjusting for differences in age, risk for suicide was 2.5
times higher among female veterans when compared to U.S. non-veteran
adult women.
But the victims of suicide are more than mere statistics.
They are our parents, children, siblings, and loved ones.
They are our co-workers, our peers, and our servicemen and women.
They deserve more.
There are many organizations and individuals working tirelessly to
ensure all of our fellow citizens receive the aid they need.
I commend the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of 161
crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to
anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
There are five such centers in Texas, including one in my home city
of Houston.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline reports that it experienced
an increase of 100 percent in calls between 2014 and 2017, revealing
just how prevalent suicide has become.
The helpline answered more than 2 million calls in 2017, up from
approximately one million calls in 2014. In 2015 and 2016, the helpline
answered more than 1.5 million calls each year.
Those on the front lines of the suicide prevention efforts deserve
more help.
H.R. 2345, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act, would
require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and
consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention
efforts.
The Act would lead to the examination of the feasibility of
designating a three-digit dialing code for a national suicide
prevention and mental health crisis hotline system.
[[Page H6595]]
Further, the Act directs the FCC to study and report to Congress on
the effectiveness of the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline,
including how well it addresses the needs of veterans.
Mr. Speaker, our citizens and our suicide prevention centers deserve
decisive action against suicide.
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 2345 to reduce the
incidence of suicides in America.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2345, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________