American Psychiatric Association Releases Statement Following House Passage of the Build Back Better Act

The US House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act today, which includes  investments for the care of substance use disorder and mental health among the $2 trillion in spending.

According to a press release, “The American Psychiatric Association (APA) applauds the House for including these provisions in the Act and urges the Senate to ensure they are retained in the final reconciliation package.”

The APA is calling on the Senate to solidify the expansion of funding for several health care provisions, including:

• Mental Health Parity, a federal parity law requiring insurance coverage for substance use disorder and mental health to be held to the same standard as other medical care. The Build Back Better Act includes “provisions levying civil monetary penalties on those found to be in violation of parity law requirements,” which are necessary due to the lack of full compliance with this law.
• Behavioral Health Workforce, which supports workforces in the mental health and substance use disorder space. The Build Back Better Act plans to fund 4000 Medicare-supported graduate medical education slots in 2025 and 2026 while allocating 15% of the residency spaces to psychiatry and behavioral health programs. The act includes a grant of $75 million toward establishing and expanding the diversity in the mental health and substance use disorder workforce, as well as $50 million to the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program.
• Crisis Services, in which the act plans a permanent increase in Medicaid funds for mobile crisis response. Additionally, $75 million is allocated toward the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which will be used to expand programs in anticipation for the launch of 988*, a 3-digit number for mental health, substance use, and suicidal crises.
• Access to Care, which promotes access to essential mental health care. The Build Back Better Act plans for 12 months of eligibility for children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Coverage expansions extending to 12 months postpartum, a permanent enhancement in federal funding, and coverage extending 30 days before being released from prison are also included.

Reference

APA statement of the House passage of the Build Back Better Act. News Release. American Psychiatric Association. November 19, 2021. Accessed November 19, 2021.