New bill to expand community mental health and addiction services
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan today announced their new bipartisan bill, the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act of 2021.
The legislation will expand high-quality mental health and addiction services nationwide by giving every state the opportunity to fully fund the creation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in their communities as part of health care. Blunt and Stabenow created these community clinics through the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act, which became law in 2014.
Blunt and Stabenow’s 2014 law was the biggest step forward in expanding community mental health and addiction services in decades by allowing services to be funded through the health care system instead of just grants.
Ten states, including Missouri and Michigan, have been selected for full participation in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic program. In addition, startup grants have expanded the number of clinics to more than 300 communities across 40 states, plus Washington D.C., and that number continues to grow. These clinics serve about 1.5 million people across the country.
“Although we’ve nearly defeated this pandemic, our nation continues to face a significant mental and behavioral health crisis,” said Blunt. “Studies have shown that, over the last year, more Americans have struggled with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance use. We can help more people get the care they need by expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.”
“Mental illness and substance use disorders do not discriminate – they affect our parents, children, CEOs, students, teachers, veterans and other community leaders. For too long, our country has funded health care above the neck differently than health care below the neck. We are finally transforming the way we deliver high-quality services in our communities and the results are clear. It’s time to expand these highly successful clinics to people in every corner of our country,” said Stabenow.