summary
Introduced
08/05/2015
08/05/2015
In Committee
08/05/2015
08/05/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Mental Health Reform Act of 2015 This bill creates the position of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders to oversee the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Mental health programs are extended and training regarding mental health is expanded. SAMHSA must establish the National Mental Health Policy Laboratory and the Interagency Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee. This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institute of Mental Health to translate evidence-based interventions and the best available science into systems of care. The Health Resources and Services Administration must support the creation and expansion of child psychiatry access programs. Certain mental health care professional volunteers are provided liability protection. Pediatric mental health subspecialists are eligible for National Health Service Corps programs. An underserved population of children or a site for training in child psychiatry can be designated as a health professional shortage area. SAMHSA must award primary care and behavioral health care integration grants to state entities to fund improvements in settings with integrated care. The Department of Health and Human Services must develop a model program and materials for training health care providers regarding the disclosure of the protected health information of patients with a mental illness. This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to conditionally expand coverage of mental health services.
AI Summary
This bill, the Mental Health Reform Act of 2015, aims to improve mental health and substance use disorder services by creating a new Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders to oversee the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), extending existing mental health programs, and expanding mental health training. Key provisions include establishing the National Mental Health Policy Laboratory and the Interagency Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee, requiring the National Institute of Mental Health to translate research into practical care systems, and directing the Health Resources and Services Administration to support child psychiatry access programs. The bill also offers liability protection for certain mental health professional volunteers, makes pediatric mental health subspecialists eligible for National Health Service Corps programs, and allows underserved areas or training sites for child psychiatry to be designated as health professional shortage areas. Furthermore, it introduces grants for integrating primary and behavioral healthcare, mandates the development of training materials for healthcare providers on disclosing protected health information for patients with mental illness, and conditionally expands Medicaid coverage for mental health services.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (17)
Bill Cassidy (R)*,
Kelly Ayotte (R),
Richard Blumenthal (D),
John Boozman (R),
Shelley Moore Capito (R),
Susan Collins (R),
Al Franken (D),
Kirsten Gillibrand (D),
Mark Kirk (R),
Amy Klobuchar (D),
Lisa Murkowski (R),
Chris Murphy (D),
Chuck Schumer (D),
Debbie Stabenow (D),
Thom Tillis (R),
David Vitter (R),
Elizabeth Warren (D),
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (on 08/05/2015)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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