[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5012-H5014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PURSUING EQUITY IN MENTAL HEALTH ACT
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5469) to address mental health issues for youth,
particularly youth of color, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5469
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 ``Pursuing Equity in Mental
Health Act''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Sec. 101. Integrated Health Care Demonstration Program.
Sec. 102. Addressing racial and ethnic minority mental health
disparities research gaps.
Sec. 103. Health professions competencies to address racial and ethnic
minority mental health disparities.
Sec. 104. Racial and ethnic minority behavioral and mental health
outreach and education strategy.
Sec. 105. Additional funds for National Institutes of Health.
Sec. 106. Additional funds for National Institute on Minority Health
and Health Disparities.
TITLE II--OTHER PROVISIONS
Sec. 201. Reauthorization of Minority Fellowship Program.
Sec. 202. Study on the Effects of Smartphone and Social Media Use on
Adolescents.
TITLE I--HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
SEC. 101. INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 290dd et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 554. INTERPROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE TEAMS FOR PROVISION
OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE IN PRIMARY CARE
SETTINGS.
``(a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to eligible
entities for the purpose of establishing interprofessional
health care teams that provide behavioral health care.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an entity shall be a Federally qualified
health center (as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Social
Security Act), rural health clinic, or behavioral health
program, serving a high proportion of individuals from racial
and ethnic minority groups (as defined in section 1707(g)).
``(c) Scientifically Based.--Integrated health care funded
through this section shall be scientifically based, taking
into consideration the results of the most recent peer-
reviewed research available.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this
section, there is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000
for each of the first 5 fiscal years following the date of
enactment of the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act.''.
SEC. 102. ADDRESSING RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH
DISPARITIES RESEARCH GAPS.
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Director of the National Institutes of Health
shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academies
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (or, if the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decline to
enter into such an arrangement, the Patient-Centered Outcomes
Research Institute, the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, or another appropriate entity)--
(1) to conduct a study with respect to mental health
disparities in racial and ethnic minority groups (as defined
in section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 300u-6(g))); and
(2) to submit to the Congress a report on the results of
such study, including--
(A) a compilation of information on the dynamics of mental
disorders in such racial and ethnic minority groups; and
(B) a compilation of information on the impact of exposure
to community violence, adverse childhood experiences,
structural racism, and other psychological traumas on mental
disorders in such racial and minority groups.
SEC. 103. HEALTH PROFESSIONS COMPETENCIES TO ADDRESS RACIAL
AND ETHNIC MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall award grants to qualified national organizations for
the purposes of--
(1) developing, and disseminating to health professional
educational programs best practices or core competencies
addressing mental health disparities among racial and ethnic
minority groups for use in the training of students in the
professions of social work, psychology, psychiatry, marriage
and family therapy, mental health counseling, and substance
misuse counseling; and
(2) certifying community health workers and peer wellness
specialists with respect to such best practices and core
competencies and integrating and expanding the use of such
workers and specialists into health care to address mental
health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups.
(b) Best Practices; Core Competencies.--Organizations
receiving funds under subsection (a) may use the funds to
engage in the following activities related to the development
and dissemination of best practices or core competencies
described in subsection (a)(1):
(1) Formation of committees or working groups comprised of
experts from accredited health professions schools to
identify best practices and core competencies relating to
mental health disparities among racial and ethnic minority
groups.
(2) Planning of workshops in national fora to allow for
public input into the educational needs associated with
mental health disparities among racial and ethnic minority
groups.
(3) Dissemination and promotion of the use of best
practices or core competencies in undergraduate and graduate
health professions training programs nationwide.
(4) Establishing external stakeholder advisory boards to
provide meaningful input into policy and program development
and best practices to reduce mental health disparities among
racial and ethnic minority groups.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Qualified national organization.--The term ``qualified
national organization'' means a national organization that
focuses on the education of students in one or more of the
professions of social work, psychology, psychiatry, marriage
and family therapy, mental health counseling, and substance
misuse counseling.
(2) Racial and ethnic minority group.--The term ``racial
and ethnic minority group'' has the meaning given to such
term in section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 300u-6(g)).
SEC. 104. RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL
HEALTH OUTREACH AND EDUCATION STRATEGY.
Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 290dd et seq.), as amended by section 101, is further
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 555. BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH AND
EDUCATION STRATEGY.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall, in consultation
with advocacy and behavioral and mental health organizations
serving racial and ethnic minority groups, develop and
implement an outreach and education strategy to promote
behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated
with mental health conditions and substance abuse among
racial and ethnic minority groups. Such strategy shall--
``(1) be designed to--
``(A) meet the diverse cultural and language needs of the
various racial and ethnic minority groups; and
``(B) be developmentally and age-appropriate;
``(2) increase awareness of symptoms of mental illnesses
common among such groups, taking into account differences
within at-risk subgroups;
``(3) provide information on evidence-based, culturally and
linguistically appropriate and adapted interventions and
treatments;
``(4) ensure full participation of, and engage, both
consumers and community members in the development and
implementation of materials; and
[[Page H5013]]
``(5) seek to broaden the perspective among both
individuals in these groups and stakeholders serving these
groups to use a comprehensive public health approach to
promoting behavioral health that addresses a holistic view of
health by focusing on the intersection between behavioral and
physical health.
``(b) Reports.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this section and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make
publicly available, a report on the extent to which the
strategy developed and implemented under subsection (a)
increased behavioral and mental health outcomes associated
with mental health conditions and substance abuse among
racial and ethnic minority groups.
``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term `racial and
ethnic minority group' has the meaning given to that term in
section 1707(g).
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.''.
SEC. 105. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.
(a) In General.--In addition to amounts otherwise
authorized to be appropriated to the National Institutes of
Health, there is authorized to be appropriated to such
Institutes $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through
2025 to build relations with communities and conduct or
support clinical research, including clinical research on
racial or ethnic disparities in physical and mental health.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``clinical
research'' has the meaning given to such term in section 409
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284d).
SEC. 106. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON MINORITY
HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES.
In addition to amounts otherwise authorized to be
appropriated to the National Institute on Minority Health and
Health Disparities, there is authorized to be appropriated to
such Institute $650,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021
through 2025.
TITLE II--OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF MINORITY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
Section 597(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
297ll(c)) is amended by striking ``$12,669,000 for each of
fiscal years 2018 through 2022'' and inserting ``$25,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025''.
SEC. 202. STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF SMARTPHONE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
USE ON ADOLESCENTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall conduct or support research on--
(1) smartphone and social media use by adolescents; and
(2) the effects of such use on--
(A) emotional, behavioral, and physical health and
development; and
(B) disparities in minority and underserved populations.
(b) Report.--Not later than 5 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Congress, and make publicly available, a report on the
findings of research described in this section.
SEC. 203. TECHNICAL CORRECTION.
Title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa
et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating the second section 550 (42 U.S.C.
290ee-10) (relating to Sobriety Treatment And Recovery Teams)
as section 553; and
(2) by moving such section, as so redesignated, so as to
appear after section 552 (42 U.S.C. 290ee-7).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 5469.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5469, the Pursuing
Equity in Mental Health Act.
We have long known that people of color experience inequities in
healthcare in the United States. While we have made progress to close
these gaps in recent years, including with the passage of the
Affordable Care Act, people of color in America continue to experience
inequities in care and worse health outcomes compared to White
Americans.
These long-term trends are rooted in several social determinants that
are often driven by structural discrimination and institutionalized
racism, which has created systemic health inequity.
The tragic results of these long-term trends are that people of color
are more likely to suffer from underlying health conditions and have a
much harder time getting access to care, and when they do, they are far
more likely to experience bias, discrimination, and poor health
outcomes.
The Congressional Black Caucus' Emergency Task Force on Black Youth
Suicide and Mental Health reiterated these points in a report last year
that raised concerns about the increasing rates of suicide and mental
health trends among Black children. The need to address these increased
suicide rates has been recognized by public health experts, including
the National Institute of Mental Health Director, Dr. Joshua Gordon. He
recently wrote about mental health inequities, saying these gaps ``lead
to worse mental health outcomes in underserved and minority
communities.''
In testimony before our committee, the American Psychological
Association president, Dr. Arthur Evans, also underscored the need to
diversify our mental health workforce if we are to improve care for
communities of color.
The bill before us today, H.R. 5469, is aimed specifically at
addressing equity in mental health. The bill would invest resources
into better understanding racial and ethnic minority mental health
disparities, improve outreach and support for racial and ethnic
minorities, and expand provider support for students of color entering
the mental health workforce.
I am hopeful, Madam Speaker, that this bill will help reduce the
inequities in mental health. Before I conclude, I want to thank my
colleague from New Jersey, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, and
her staff for leading this important bill. I also thank Ranking Member
Walden and his staff for working with us in a bipartisan manner to move
this bill forward.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5469. This is the
Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act, and it is sponsored by
Representative Watson Coleman. It helps address suicide and mental
illness in youth for minority and underserved communities.
Despite improvements in health equity, disparities in mental health
care persist. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has
reported that racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States
are less likely to have access to mental health services and less
likely to use community mental health services, but more likely to use
emergency departments and more likely to receive lower quality care.
Poor mental health care access and quality ultimately contribute to
poorer outcomes, including suicide among these populations. These
issues are especially acute in minority youth populations.
H.R. 5469 would help address these disparities. It authorizes grants
targeted at high-poverty communities for culturally and linguistically
appropriate mental health services. It supports mental health
disparities research, requires the studying of the impact of
smartphones and social media on adolescents, and authorizes the
Minority Fellowship Program to support more students of color entering
the mental health workforce.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the majority for taking the time
to work with us to get this bill in a really good place. It is an
important initiative, and I am pleased to see it getting a vote on the
House floor today, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join both the chairman of the
committee and myself in supporting this legislation, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor and senior member of
the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, I rise in strong
support of H.R. 5469, the ``Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of
2019,'' which addresses mental health issues for youth, particularly
youth of color.
According to Mental Health America, Black and African American
teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than White teenagers, and
suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts have been rising in recent
years.
[[Page H5014]]
Furthermore, in the United States, over seven million people who
identify as Black or African American reported having a mental illness
in the past year.
This legislation will combat the issue of suicide and mental health
in youth from all communities by focusing on a few key areas: support
in schools, scientific research, and increase funding in existing
programs.
Specifically, the bill provides $250 million to schools across the
country, so they can have more culturally and linguistically
appropriate mental health services.
The bill stipulates that priority will be given to schools with
higher levels of poverty, to reducing the ratio of counselors to
students and to helping more students of color.
These grants will also provide training for teachers and other school
staff, so they can better identify the signs of trauma, mental health
disorders, and risk of suicide in all students.
Additionally, H.R. 5469 provides $20 million to establish
interprofessional health care teams that can provide behavioral health
care.
Madam Speaker, I am particularly supportive of this bill's efforts to
develop cultural competency educational curricula so that students who
are training to be social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and
therapists will be able to properly treat youth of color.
This is imperative as we look to improve support for mental health
for future generations.
Furthermore, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) to establish a Commission on the Effects of Smartphone
and Social Media Usage on Adolescents as well as prohibits federal
funds from being used for conversion therapy and prohibits SAMHSA
grants from going to states that continue to allow such practices.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman Bonnie Watson
Coleman for her leadership on this key piece of legislation.
I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and
pass this important legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5469, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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