[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 84 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2951-S2952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, besides May being National Foster Care 
Month, it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. This month of May 
gives us an opportunity to increase public awareness about the 
challenges faced by those struggling with mental illness. It also 
encourages us to consider reforms to policies that affect these 
individuals as well as their friends and family members.
  Almost one in five adults in the United States copes with mental 
illness in any given year, and roughly 20 million Americans struggle 
with substance abuse disorder, and less than half will get the 
treatment that they need.
  In the 114th Congress, the previous one, I cosponsored and led the 
Judiciary Committee in approving legislation to update and extend the 
Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act. Up to half of 
our Nation's prison population may suffer from mental illness. Jails 
and prisons hold 10 times as many people with mental illness than 
hospitals do, according to the National Sheriffs' Association.
  In the 115th Congress, I introduced and led the Senate in adopting 
reforms to tackle substance abuse, mental health, and other issues that 
may drive children and teenagers into the juvenile justice system. 
These reforms, which recently were enacted as part of the Juvenile 
Justice Reform Act, encourages States to devote Federal grants to 
improving treatment of juvenile offenders with mental illness and 
substance abuse. The enactment of these two measures is very important, 
but even saying that, we still have lots of work to do in the area of 
substance abuse and mental illness.
  First, lack of mental health resources poses a huge challenge. Now I 
am chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. I intend to be committed 
to this area and explore new options for increasing access to quality 
mental healthcare.
  Second, we still have a long way to go to promote parity in mental 
health

[[Page S2952]]

and substance abuse treatment. I am committed to building upon existing 
efforts and finding new ways to end the stigma attached to mental 
health diseases.
  Third, experts tell us that it is important to standardize care for 
behavioral health and addiction medicines.
  Fourth, we may need to equip doctors with more tools to respond to 
the opioid epidemic that has gripped the Nation and takes the lives of 
130 Americans every day. For example, Federal regulations prevent a 
patient's doctor from reviewing that patient's substance abuse records. 
This policy is intended, appropriately, to protect patient privacy, and 
that is a very important goal, but if it hinders coordination of care, 
we may have reasons to be concerned. In some cases, doctors must have 
access to a patient's entire medical history in order to adequately 
recognize, respond to, and treat the symptoms of addiction.
  I hope my colleagues in the Senate will join me in identifying 
bipartisan solutions to these issues. Doing so will help to improve the 
lives of many Americans who struggle with mental health and substance 
abuse disorders.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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