[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.
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