Abstract
The House last week passed the $1.9 trillion COVID‐19 relief bill, garnering support, not to mention relief, from mental health advocates who are praising the billions of dollars that will fund crucial mental health and substance use services.
The House last week passed the $1.9 trillion COVID‐19 relief bill, garnering support, not to mention relief, from mental health advocates who are praising the billions of dollars that will fund crucial mental health and substance use services.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which at press time was expected to be signed by President Biden, also boosts COVID‐19 vaccinations, testing, treatment and prevention, and provides assistance for small businesses, schools and families.
The relief will help address the continued rise in service demand, workforce shortages and pandemic‐related layoffs, causing about 40% of mental health and substance use treatment organizations to potentially closing their doors without additional support (see story, beginning on page 1).
“The National Council for Behavioral Health thanks Congress and the Biden administration for prioritizing access to mental health and substance use treatment as we grapple simultaneously with COVID‐19 and a nationwide mental health crisis,” Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO for the National Council, said in a statement. Because the nation's mental health crisis will last for years to come, we will continue working with lawmakers on sustainable solutions to address the growing demand for mental health and substance use treatment and workforce challenges that organizations across the country face.”
“It is essential and heartening that Congress and the administration included funding for our nation's mental health system in this wave of COVID relief,” said APA President Jeffrey Geller, M.D., M.P.H., said in a statement. “We are particularly pleased to see support for our front‐line physicians and other workers, many of whom have made great sacrifices during this time, and many of whom are hurting.”
Mental health and substance use disorder provisions include:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) block grants: Provides $3 billion for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant and the Community Mental Health Services block grant ($1.5 billion each).
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs): Provides $420 million to SAMHSA to fund CCBHC Expansion Grants.
Provider Relief Fund: $8.5 billion in new money to the Provider Relief Fund for providers in rural areas and those serving rural communities.
Other mental health/substance use disorder funding: Provides more than $450 million in additional funding for SAMHSA and Health Resources and Services Administration programming, including funding for mental health and addiction services, workforce education and training, suicide prevention and public education campaigns.
The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act: Includes funding for training, educational programs and other initiatives designed to promote mental and behavioral wellness of health care workers.
Community behavioral health services, such as the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education), youth suicide prevention and CCBHCs.