The publication is reproduced in full below:
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:
``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 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.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 81
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up