Today, June 22nd, 2022, two bills introduced by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D.(IA-02) passed the House tonight as a part of a larger bipartisan mental health package, H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act. H.R. 7666 would reauthorize key Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs to address the national mental health and substance use disorder crises.
As a part of H.R. 7666, the House passed Miller-Meeks’ Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act, bipartisan legislation that would increase access to treatment for Americans suffering from opioid use disorder by revising opioid treatment program criteria to remove the requirement that patients must have been addicted for at least one year before being admitted for treatment. The package also included Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act, a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize funding for children’s mental and behavioral health programs. This bill would help address the children’s mental health care crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.
“I am proud to see two of my bipartisan bills pass the House tonight. Over the last two years, communities across the country have seen a serious rise in opioid overdoses and a serious decline in the mental health of our students. Sadly, Iowa has been no exception to these crises,” said Miller-Meeks. “Both of my bills, as well as the larger package, will bring immediate help to Iowans in need. I will continue to work to find solutions for Americans struggling with opioid use disorder and mental health issues and get them the help they need.”
Background:
The Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act would be an important step toward reducing opioid-related deaths across America by allowing all patients who seek treatment to receive the help they need. Since the COVID-19 pandemic became a national emergency in March 2020, there have been significant increases in substance use and drug overdoses in the United States. According to a National Center for Health Statistics report, 91,799 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2020 – a 31 percent increase over the 2019 rate.
The Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act would provide funds to two important grant programs to support children’s mental health care. The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access grant will make sure that mental health issues are found during routine appointments and make sure pediatricians have the tools they need during routine visits. The second program, the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Promotion, Intervention, and Treatment grant focuses on early intervention for children who have experienced trauma or are at high risk for mental health challenges.
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