[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 11, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2161-H2163]
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. 1475) 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. 1475

       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.
Sec. 203. Technical correction.

               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 inserting after section 
     553 of such Act (as redesignated and moved by section 203 of 
     this Act) the following:

[[Page H2162]]

  


     ``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 
     may 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.) is amended by inserting after section 
     554 of such Act, as added by section 101 of this Act, the 
     following:

     ``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
       ``(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 2022 through 2026.''.

     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 2022 through 
     2026 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 2022 
     through 2026.

                       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 2022 through 2026''.

     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 Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) 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

[[Page H2163]]

which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous 
material on H.R. 1475.
  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. 1475, 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 result 
of these long-term trends is that people of color are more likely to 
suffer from underlying health conditions; 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 
Congress that raised concern about the increasing rates of suicide and 
mental health trends among Black children.
  The bill before us today, H.R. 1475, is aimed specifically at 
addressing equity in mental health. It is a comprehensive approach to 
address increasing suicide rates and mental health disorders amongst 
Black youth. 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.
  Madam Speaker, I am hopeful that this bill will help reduce the 
inequities in mental health.
  Before I conclude, I would like to thank my colleague, Representative 
Bonnie Watson Coleman, and her staff for leading this important 
legislation. She, of course, is in the district immediately next to me 
and a longtime supporter of these causes. So this is a bill that is 
significant, and I do want to thank the Congresswoman for being the 
sponsor.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1475, the Pursuing 
Equity in Mental Health Act, sponsored by Representative Watson 
Coleman.
  This important bill helps address suicide and mental illness in youth 
from minority and underserved communities.
  Despite improvements in health quality, disparities in mental 
healthcare persist. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has 
reported that racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. are less 
likely to have access to mental health services, less likely to use 
community mental health services, more likely to use emergency 
departments, and more likely to receive lower quality care.
  Poor mental healthcare access and quality ultimately contribute to 
poor outcomes, including suicide among these populations. These issues 
are especially acute in minority youth populations.
  This bill would help address these disparities by authorizing grants 
targeted at high-poverty communities for culturally and linguistically 
appropriate mental health services, supporting mental health 
disparities research, studying the impact of smartphones and social 
media on adolescents, and reauthorizing the Minority Fellowship Program 
to support more students of color entering the mental health workforce.
  Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote for this important initiative, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, first, let me say that Congresswoman 
Bonnie Watson Coleman has, for years both here and in the State 
legislature and beyond, gone after issues that many of us have 
neglected or been unwilling to address. Maybe because they are 
controversial or whatever. She is always out there looking to help 
those people who are distressed or don't have someone to look out for 
them.
  Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman).
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from New 
Jersey for those kind words, and I thank my colleague from the other 
side of the aisle for supporting what I think is a very important piece 
of legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to call on all of my colleagues to 
support the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act.
  Over the last several years, data has indicated an alarming increase 
in the suicide rates for Black children and teenagers, while a recent 
study has shown that suicide intervention programs--while successful 
among White, Asian, and Hispanic children--have done little to help 
African-American and Native-American youth.
  Two years ago, I launched the Emergency Task Force on Black Youth 
Suicide and Mental Health, sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus. 
The task force's report that inspired this bill is an urgent call to 
action.
  Regardless of race, gender, and socioeconomic status, every 
individual should have access to mental health resources and treatment.
  This bipartisan bill will provide much-needed grants for culturally 
competent mental health services, increase funding for the Minority 
Fellowship Program, and direct research and resources at Federal 
departments and agencies. I basically am echoing what my colleagues 
have already shared with you.

  We must pursue this equity in mental health because the systems we 
have in place simply do not address the mental health needs of all 
communities.
  Madam Speaker, I call upon all of my colleagues to support this 
important piece of legislation.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for 
the purpose of closing.
  Madam Speaker, again, this is a very important issue, and I am glad 
we are here today to address it. We need to address it. My hopes and 
prayers are, as we move forward with this piece of legislation, we get 
the help that communities needed.
  I support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I, too, urge my colleagues to support 
this very important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  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. 1475, 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. ROY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________