House Passes $1.3 Trillion Spending Package, Including Funding for Major MH Initiatives

APA Urges Senate ActionToday the U.S. House of Representatives approved $96.4 billion in funding for the Department of Health and Human Services by passing the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education FY 2021 appropriations bill. The bill is part of HR 7617, a $1.3 trillion spending package that funds most federal agencies throughout the next fiscal year.The bill includes $6 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for programs related to mental health and substance use, an increase of more than $100 million over the previous fiscal year. The impact of APA ’s advocacy was evident in this increase, as the organization’s work with mental health partners resulted in a $35 million increase to the SAMHSA budget to improve mental health crisis systems and suicide prevention at the state and local levels, including $25 million for a national suicide prev ention lifeline.The bill also includes the following:$8 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an increase of over $250 million from the previous fiscal year.$66.95 million for the CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program, a 14% increase in funding for the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), and a request that the National Institute of Mental Health develop a 10-year strategic plan to eliminate racial mental health disparities in youth by 2030.Funds for firearm injury and mortality prevention research: $30 million for the CDC and $25...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research