President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law over the weekend after both chambers reached a breakthrough on the package of gun safety and mental health policies last week. The bill enjoyed bipartisan support in both chambers as lawmakers faced increase pressure to act following several deadly mass shootings across the country earlier this month. The Senate now stands adjourned for the two-week Independence Day state work period and will return to Washington during the week of July 11.
Continue reading “Health Policy Report (6/27)”Month: June 2022
Health Policy Report (6/21)
House lawmakers will reconvene this afternoon to consider a bipartisan package of bills that seek to improve behavioral health treatment and increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) care. The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well Being Act (H.R. 7666; TRP analysis) includes several policies that would, among other things: (1) reauthorize several grant programs at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); (2) provide support for the new 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline launching next month; and (3) promote and support behavioral health integration and workforce needs. While the legislation is expected to pass with bipartisan support next week, timing in the Senate is unclear due to competing legislative priorities.
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Capitol Hill Update
A bipartisan group of senators reached an agreement over the weekend on a policy framework that seeks to bolster gun safety and improve access to mental health resources. While legislative text was absent from the Senate group’s announcement, proposed policies within the agreement include:
Continue reading “Health Policy Report (6/13)”