Summary:
Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2013 - Creates in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, who shall supervise and direct the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish a National Mental Health Policy Laboratory to: (1) identify and implement policy changes and other trends likely to have the most significant impact on mental health services; (2) collect information from grantees; and (3) evaluate and disseminate to such grantees evidence-based practices and services delivery models, using the best available science shown to reduce program expenditures while enhancing the quality of care furnished to individuals by other such grantees.

Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require the Assistant Secretary to establish: (1) an Interagency Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee; and (2) a four-year pilot program to award up to 50 grants each year to counties, cities, mental health systems, mental health courts, and any other entities with authority under state law to implement, monitor, and oversee assisted outpatient treatment programs.

Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish a program of tele-psychiatry and primary care physician training grants to states to promote the use of qualified telehealth technology for the identification, diagnosis, mitigation, or treatment of a mental health disorder.

Directs the HHS Secretary (Secretary), in coordination with the Assistant Secretary, to award planning grants to enable up to 10 states to carry out 5-year demonstration programs to improve the provision of behavioral health services by federally qualified community behavioral health clinics.

Requires the Assistant Secretary to certify federally qualified community behavioral health clinics that meet specified criteria.

Requires the caregiver of an individual with a serious mental illness to be treated as the individual's personal representative with respect to protected health information, even though the individual has not consented to disclosure of such information to the caregiver, when the individual's service provider reasonably believes it is necessary for protected health information to be made available to the caregiver in order to protect the individual's health, safety, or welfare or the safety of one or more other individuals.

Amends the General Education Provisions Act to allow an educational agency or institution to disclose to such a caregiver the individual's education record in certain related circumstances.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to make available: (1) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants for mental health programs and operations by law enforcement or corrections officers, and (2) public safety and community policing grants to provide specialized training to law enforcement officers to recognize and intervene properly with individuals who have mental illness.

Reauthorizes and revises requirements for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004.

Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to: (1) establish or expand veterans treatment court programs; and (2) enhance the capabilities of a correctional facility to identify, screen, and treat inmates with a mental illness, as well as develop and implement post-release transition plans for them.

Requires any data prepared by or submitted to the Attorney General or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with respect to homicides, law enforcement officers killed and assaulted, or individuals killed by law enforcement officers to include data about the involvement of mental illness in such incidences, if any.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to detail the cost of federal. state, or local imprisonment for persons who have serious mental illness.

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit a state medical assistance plan from prohibiting payment for a same-day qualifying mental health service or primary care service furnished to an individual at a federally qualified community behavioral health center or a federally qualified health center on the same day as the other kind of service.

Allows states the option to provide medical assistance for inpatient psychiatric hospital services and psychiatric residential treatment facility services for individuals age 21-65.

Amends both SSA titles XIX and XVIII (Medicare) to cover prescription drugs used to treat mental health disorders.

Amends the PHSA to increase funding for the brain initiative at the National Institute of Mental Health.

Transfers responsibility for the administration of community mental health block grants to the Assistant Secretary from the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).

Revises requirements for the funding agreement under a formula block grant to a state for community mental health services to prescribe the general standard under state law for court ordered inpatient or outpatient mental health treatment as well as assisted outpatient treatment.

Requires the Assistant Secretary to evaluate the combined paperwork burden of certain community mental health centers as well as of certified federally qualified community mental health clinics.

 Directs the Secretary of Education, along with the Assistant Secretary, to organize a national awareness campaign to assist secondary school students and postsecondary students in: (1) reducing the stigma associated with serious mental illness; (2) understanding how to assist an individual demonstrating signs of a serious mental illness; and (3) understanding the importance of seeking treatment from a physician, clinical psychologist, or licensed mental health professional when a student believes the student may be suffering from a serious mental illness or behavioral health disorder.

Amends the PHSA to include as health care providers any behavioral and mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, psychiatric hospitals, certain community mental health centers (including one operated by a county behavioral health agency), and residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities.

Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare), with respect to incentives for meaningful use of certified electronic health records (EHR) technology under the pay schedule for physician's services, to include as additional eligible professionals clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services and clinical social workers. Subjects any additional eligible professionals, including those under a MedicareAdvantage (MA) plan, to reductions in incentive payments after a certain date for failure to be a meaningful EHR user.

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to treat as Medicaid providers the following additional Medicaid providers: (1) public and certain private hospitals that are principally psychiatric hospitals, (2) certain community mental health centers, and (3) certain residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities.

Makes eligible Medicaid professionals certain clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services and certain clinical social workers.

Amends the PHSA to accord health care professional volunteers at community mental health centers and federally qualified community behavioral health clinics the liability protections of Public Health Service employees.

Requires the Assistant Secretary to transfer all functions and responsibilities of the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality to the National Mental Health Policy Laboratory.

Revises the duties of the CMHS Director.

Reauthorizes the Secretary's authority to address priority mental health needs of regional and national significance.

Amends the PHSA to reauthorize and revise requirements for a youth interagency research, training, and technical assistance center to prevent suicides (the Suicide Prevention Technical Assistance Center). Expands the program's focus from youth suicides to suicides among all ages, particularly among groups that are at high risk for suicide. Repeals authority for grants to establish research, training, and technical assistance centers related to mental health, substance abuse and the justice system.

Reauthorizes a program of grants for the development of state or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies.

Reauthorizes and revises a grant program to enhance services for students with mental health or substance use disorders at institutions of higher education. Requires the Secretary (who currently is merely authorized), acting through the CMHS Director, to award grants to enhance such services and to develop best practices for the delivery of such services. Permits grant funds to be used for the provision of such services to students and to employ appropriately trained staff. Requires the Secretary to give special consideration to applications for grants that describe programs that demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional mental and substance use disorder services and the greatest potential for replication.

Requires the Assistant Secretary, before making a grant to a public entity for comprehensive community mental health services to children with a serious emotional disturbance, to consult with the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure that the grant recipient will use evidence-based practices. Reauthorizes funding for such grants.

Repeals current authority of the Secretary to carry out directly or through grants, contracts or cooperative agreements with public entities a program to assist local communities in developing ways to assist children in dealing with violence.

Reauthorizes the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act to reduce corresponding funding for protection and advocacy systems for mentally ill individuals.

Prohibits lobbying by any such systems accepting federal funds to protect and advocate the rights of individuals with mental illness.

Prohibits the SAMHSA Administrator from hosting or sponsoring any conference that will not be primarily administered by SAMHSA without giving at least 90 days prior notice to specified congressional committees.

Prohibits the SAMHSA Administrator also from establishing (and the Secretary from delegating to the Administrator responsibility for) any program or project not explicitly authorized or required by statute. Terminates by the end of FY2014 any SAMHSA program or project not so explicitly authorized or required.

helping families mental health crisis act creates department_of_health_and_human_services hhs assistant secretary shall supervise direct administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa directs assistant secretary establish identify implement policy changes trends likely significant impact mental health services collect information grantees evaluate disseminate grantees evidence based practices services delivery models best available science shown reduce program expenditures enhancing quality care furnished individuals grantees amends public_health_service_act phsa require assistant secretary establish interagency mental illness coordinating committee year pilot program award grants year counties cities mental health systems mental health courts entities authority state law implement monitor oversee assisted outpatient treatment programs directs assistant secretary establish program tele psychiatry primary care physician training grants states promote use qualified telehealth technology identification diagnosis mitigation treatment mental health disorder directs hhs secretary secretary coordination assistant secretary award planning grants enable states carry year demonstration programs improve provision behavioral health services federally qualified community behavioral health clinics requires assistant secretary certify federally qualified community behavioral health clinics meet specified criteria requires caregiver individual mental illness treated individual personal representative respect protected health information individual consented disclosure information caregiver individual service provider reasonably believes necessary protected health information available caregiver order protect individual health safety welfare safety individuals amends general_education_provisions_act allow educational agency institution disclose caregiver individual education record certain related circumstances amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act available edward_byrne_memorial justice mental health programs operations law enforcement corrections officers public safety community policing grants provide specialized training law enforcement officers recognize intervene properly individuals mental illness reauthorizes revises requirements mentally ill offender treatment crime reduction act authorizes attorney general award grants establish expand veterans treatment court programs enhance capabilities correctional facility identify screen treat inmates mental illness develop implement post release transition plans requires data prepared submitted attorney general director federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi respect law enforcement officers killed individuals killed law enforcement officers include data involvement mental illness incidences directs comptroller general gao detail cost federal state local imprisonment persons mental illness amends title xix medicaid social security act ssa prohibit state medical assistance plan prohibiting payment day qualifying mental health service primary care service furnished individual federally qualified community behavioral health center federally qualified health center day kind service allows states option provide medical assistance inpatient psychiatric hospital services psychiatric residential treatment facility services individuals age amends ssa titles xix xviii medicare cover prescription drugs treat mental health disorders amends phsa increase funding brain initiative national_institute_of_mental_health transfers responsibility administration community mental health block grants assistant secretary director center_for_mental_health_services revises requirements funding agreement formula block grant state community mental health services prescribe general standard state law court ordered inpatient outpatient mental health treatment assisted outpatient treatment requires assistant secretary evaluate combined paperwork burden certain community mental health centers certified federally qualified community mental health clinics directs secretary education assistant secretary organize national awareness campaign assist secondary school students postsecondary students reducing stigma associated mental illness understanding assist individual demonstrating signs mental illness understanding importance seeking treatment physician clinical psychologist licensed mental health professional student believes student suffering mental illness behavioral health disorder amends phsa include health care providers behavioral mental health professionals substance abuse professionals psychiatric hospitals certain community mental health centers including operated county behavioral health agency residential outpatient mental health substance abuse treatment facilities amends ssa title xviii medicare respect incentives meaningful use certified electronic health records ehr technology pay schedule physician services include additional eligible professionals clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services clinical social workers subjects additional eligible professionals including medicareadvantage plan reductions incentive payments certain date failure meaningful ehr user amends ssa title xix medicaid treat medicaid providers following additional medicaid providers public certain private hospitals principally psychiatric hospitals certain community mental health centers certain residential outpatient mental health substance abuse treatment facilities makes eligible medicaid professionals certain clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services certain clinical social workers amends phsa accord health care professional volunteers community mental health centers federally qualified community behavioral health clinics liability protections public_health_service employees requires assistant secretary transfer functions responsibilities quality revises duties director reauthorizes secretary authority address priority mental health needs regional national significance amends phsa reauthorize revise requirements youth interagency research training technical assistance center prevent suicides expands program focus youth suicides suicides ages particularly groups high risk suicide repeals authority grants establish research training technical assistance centers related mental health substance abuse justice system reauthorizes program grants development state tribal youth suicide early intervention prevention strategies reauthorizes revises grant program enhance services students mental health substance use disorders institutions higher education requires secretary currently merely authorized acting director award grants enhance services develop best practices delivery services permits grant funds provision services students employ appropriately trained staff requires secretary special consideration applications grants describe programs demonstrate greatest need new additional mental substance use disorder services greatest potential replication requires assistant secretary making grant public entity comprehensive community mental health services children emotional disturbance consult director national_institutes_of_health nih ensure grant recipient use evidence based practices reauthorizes funding grants repeals current authority secretary carry directly grants contracts cooperative agreements public entities program assist local communities developing ways assist children dealing violence reauthorizes national child traumatic stress network amends protection advocacy individuals mental illness act reduce corresponding funding protection advocacy systems mentally ill individuals prohibits lobbying systems accepting federal funds protect advocate rights individuals mental illness prohibits samhsa administrator hosting sponsoring conference primarily administered samhsa giving days prior notice specified congressional committees prohibits samhsa administrator establishing secretary delegating administrator responsibility program project explicitly authorized required statute terminates end fy2014 samhsa program project explicitly authorized required


Summary:
Youth Mental Health Research Act - Authorizes the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) provide for the establishment of a Youth Mental Health Research Network for the conduct or support of youth mental health research and intervention services; and (2) carry out this Act by acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (the Director) in collaboration with other national research institutes and centers that conduct youth mental health research.

Authorizes the Director to award cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts to governments and private nonprofit entities for: (1) conducting research to meet unmet needs for youth mental health research or training for researchers in youth mental health research techniques; (2) providing youth mental health intervention services; and (3) collaborating with NIMH to build on the scientific findings and clinical techniques of earlier programs, studies, and demonstration projects.

Limits: (1) the number of entities that may be awarded support to 70; and (2) the duration of such support to 5 years, subject to an extension. Requires the Director to ensure that an appropriate number of awards go to entities that agree to: (1) focus primarily on the early detection and intervention of severe mental illness in young people; (2) conduct or coordinate multisite clinical trials of therapies for, or approaches to, the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of early severe mental illness in a community setting; (3) disseminate scientific findings; and (4) adhere to the guidelines, protocols, and practices used in the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS) and the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) initiative.

Requires the Director to: (1) establish a data coordinating center, (2) require the center to provide regular reports on research conducted, and (3) incorporate information reported into the Director of NIH's biennial reports.

act authorizes director national_institutes_of_health nih provide establishment conduct support youth mental health research intervention services carry act acting director national_institute_of_mental_health director collaboration national research institutes centers conduct youth mental health research authorizes director award cooperative agreements grants contracts governments private nonprofit entities conducting research meet unmet needs youth mental health research training researchers youth mental health research techniques providing youth mental health intervention services collaborating build scientific findings clinical techniques earlier programs studies demonstration projects limits number entities awarded support duration support years subject extension requires director ensure appropriate number awards entities agree focus primarily early detection intervention severe mental illness young people conduct coordinate multisite clinical trials therapies approaches prevention diagnosis treatment early severe mental illness community setting disseminate scientific findings adhere guidelines protocols practices recovery initial episode raise initiative requires director establish data coordinating center require center provide regular reports research conducted incorporate information reported director nih biennial reports


Summary:
Ensuring Veterans' Resiliency Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay loans used to finance education regarding psychiatric medicine that are obtained from a governmental entity, private financial institution, school, or other authorized entity.

Requires an individual, to be eligible to obtain such a loan repayment, to: (1) be either licensed (or eligible for licensure) to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education; and (2) demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the VHA, including through a period of obligated service. Directs the Secretary to select at least 10 individuals to participate in each year of the program.

 Allows a loan repayment to consist of payment of the principal, interest, and related expenses of such a loan. Prohibits the Secretary from paying more than $60,000 on behalf of the individual for each year of obligated service the individual agrees to serve.

Makes an individual who participates in the pilot program who fails to satisfy the service commitment liable for prorated loan repayment.

Prohibits an individual who is participating in any other federal program that repays his or her educational loans from participating in the program under this Act.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to conduct a study of pay disparities among VHA psychiatrists.

ensuring veterans secretary veterans_affairs carry year pilot program repay loans finance education psychiatric medicine obtained governmental entity private financial institution school authorized entity requires individual eligible obtain loan repayment licensed eligible licensure practice psychiatric medicine veterans_health_administration vha department_of_veterans_affairs enrolled final year residency program leading specialty qualification psychiatric medicine approved demonstrate commitment long term career psychiatrist vha including period obligated service directs secretary select individuals participate year program allows loan repayment consist payment principal interest related expenses loan prohibits secretary paying behalf individual year obligated service individual agrees serve makes individual participates pilot program fails satisfy service commitment liable prorated loan repayment prohibits individual participating federal program repays educational loans participating program act directs comptroller general gao conduct study pay disparities vha psychiatrists


Summary:
DoD Suicide Tracking Act of 2014 - Requires the the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to prescribe, and the Secretaries of the military departments and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the adjutants general to implement, a policy for the development of a standard method for collecting, reporting, and assessing suicide data and suicide-attempt data involving members of the National Guard and Reserves.

Requires the DOD Secretary to direct the Secretary of each military department to develop and implement a program to track, retain, and analyze information regarding suicides involving dependents of members of the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces.

requires secretary defense dod prescribe secretaries military departments chief national_guard_bureau general implement policy development standard method collecting reporting assessing suicide data suicide attempt data involving members national_guard reserves requires dod secretary direct secretary military department develop implement program track retain analyze information suicides involving dependents members regular reserve components armed_forces


Summary:
Strengthening Mental Health in Our Communities Act of 2014 - Establishes the White House Office of Mental Health Policy to monitor federal mental health activities and develop a National Strategy for Mental Health, a comprehensive plan to provide services to individuals with mental illness.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize through FY 2019 various mental health grant programs, including programs for youth suicide prevention, homeless individuals, and diverting individuals with mental illness from the criminal justice system.

Replaces youth interagency research, training, and technical assistance centers with a suicide prevention technical assistance center and authorizes the center through FY2019.

Revises and extends through FY2019 grant programs to provide: (1) comprehensive community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbances, and (2) for continued operation of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI).

Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to create a national media public service campaign to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

Directs SAMHSA to award grants to states to create a Web-based acute psychiatric bed registry to facilitate the placement and treatment of individuals in psychiatric crisis.

Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require coverage of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs.

Eliminates Medicare's 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services.

Expands Medicare coverage to include marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services.

Authorizes through FY2019 additional appropriations for National Health Service Corps scholarships and loan repayments to ensure an adequate supply of behavioral and mental health professionals.

Native American Psychiatric and Mental Health Care Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary to award one grant to a medical school to recruit and train psychiatric physicians for Indian health programs. Makes participating physicians eligible for the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program.

Adds occupational therapists to the National Health Service Corps to address shortages in health professional shortage areas.

Requires the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct or support research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of serious mental illness and violence associated with mental illness.

Allows the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a Youth Mental Health Research Network to conduct or support youth mental health research and intervention services.

Revises and extends through FY2019 a program for children dealing with violence.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY2019 collaboration program grants and expand assistance to veterans and inmates with mental illness.

Applies Medicaid, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage incentives for implementation of electronic health records to specified mental health professionals and facilities.

Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to provide individuals enlisting in the Armed Forces with a mental health assessment to be used as a baseline for subsequent assessments.

Directs DOD to furnish needed care for mental illness to any veteran who served on active duty in a combat zone.

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a pilot program for repaying student loans in exchange for service as a psychiatrist in the Veterans Health Administration.

communities act establishes monitor federal mental health activities develop comprehensive plan provide services individuals mental illness amends public_health_service_act reauthorize mental health grant programs including programs youth suicide prevention homeless individuals diverting individuals mental illness criminal justice system replaces youth interagency research training technical assistance centers suicide prevention technical assistance center authorizes center fy2019 revises extends fy2019 grant programs provide comprehensive community mental health services children emotional disturbances continued operation national child traumatic stress initiative nctsi requires administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa create national media public service campaign reduce stigma associated mental illness directs samhsa award grants states create web based acute psychiatric bed registry facilitate placement treatment individuals psychiatric crisis amends voluntary prescription drug benefit program title xviii medicare social security act require coverage drugs eliminates medicare day lifetime limit inpatient psychiatric hospital services expands medicare coverage include marriage family therapist services mental health counselor services authorizes fy2019 additional appropriations national_health_service_corps scholarships loan repayments ensure adequate supply behavioral mental health professionals secretary award grant medical school recruit train psychiatric physicians indian health programs makes participating physicians eligible indian_health_service_loan_repayment_program adds occupational therapists national_health_service_corps address shortages health professional shortage areas requires director national_institute_of_mental_health conduct support research causes prevention treatment mental illness violence associated mental illness allows director national_institutes_of_health establish conduct support youth mental health research intervention services revises extends fy2019 program children dealing violence amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act extend fy2019 collaboration program grants expand assistance veterans inmates mental illness applies medicaid medicare medicare_advantage incentives implementation electronic health records specified mental health professionals facilities requires secretary defense dod provide individuals armed_forces mental health assessment baseline subsequent assessments directs dod furnish needed care mental illness veteran served active duty combat zone requires secretary veterans_affairs establish pilot program repaying student loans exchange service psychiatrist veterans_health_administration


Summary:
Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery Act or the COVER Act - Establishes the Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission to:

 examine the efficacy of the evidence-based therapy model used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for treating mental health illnesses of veterans and identify areas to improve wellness-based outcomes; conduct a patient-centered survey within each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to examine the experience of veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when seeking medical assistance for mental health issues through the VA health care system, their experience with non-VA facilities and health professionals for such issues, their preferences regarding available treatments for such issues and which methods they believe to be most effective, their experience with complementary alternative treatment therapies, the prevalence of prescribing prescription medication among veterans seeking treatment through the VA health care system to address mental health issues, and the Secretary's outreach efforts regarding the availability of benefits and treatments for such issues; examine available research on complementary alternative treatment therapies for mental health issues (including music, yoga, and meditation therapy) and identify what benefits could be made with the inclusion of such treatments for veterans; and study the potential increase in the approval by the Secretary of claims for compensation relating to mental health issues for veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. Directs the Secretary, upon a report by the Commission, to submit: (1) an action plan for implementing recommendations and a time frame for implementing complementary alternative treatments, or (2) a justification for not doing so and an alternative solution to improve the efficacy of the therapy model.

creating options veterans expedited recovery_act cover act establishes examine efficacy evidence based therapy model secretary veterans_affairs treating mental health illnesses veterans identify areas improve wellness based outcomes conduct patient centered survey veterans_integrated_service_networks examine experience veterans department_of_veterans_affairs seeking medical assistance mental health issues health care system experience non-va facilities health professionals issues preferences available treatments issues methods believe effective experience complementary alternative treatment therapies prevalence prescribing prescription medication veterans seeking treatment health care system address mental health issues secretary outreach efforts availability benefits treatments issues examine available research complementary alternative treatment therapies mental health issues including music therapy identify benefits inclusion treatments veterans study potential increase approval secretary claims compensation relating mental health issues veterans served operation enduring freedom operation iraqi freedom operation new dawn directs secretary report commission submit action plan implementing recommendations time frame implementing complementary alternative treatments justification alternative solution improve efficacy therapy model


Summary:
Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act - Extends from 5 to 15 years the period of eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after the Persian Gulf War or against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998.

Requires the Secretaries of the military departments to provide a process by which a covered individual may challenge the terms or characterization of his or her discharge or separation from the Armed Forces. Defines "covered individual" as any individual who: (1) was discharged or separated from the Armed Forces for a personality disorder; or (2) was discharged or separated from the Armed Forces on a punitive basis, or under other than honorable conditions, and who alleges that the basis for such discharge or separation was a mental health injury or disorder incurred or aggravated by the individual during service in the Armed Forces.

Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of Veteran Affairs (VA) to: (1) conduct an evaluation of mental health care and suicide prevention programs carried out in DOD and VA; (2) train all providers of health care in such Departments on recognizing the risk of suicide, treating or referring for treatment an individual who is at risk of suicide, and recognizing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder; and (3) ensure that best practices for identifying individuals at risk of suicide and for providing quality mental health care are disseminated to providers of health care in such Departments.

Amends the Wounded Warrior Act to require the DOD Secretary and the VA Secretary, in implementing electronic health record systems that provide for the full interoperability of personal health care information between the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, to ensure that: (1) a health data authoritative source that can be accessed by multiple providers and that standardizes the input of new medical information is created within 180 days, (2) the ability of patients of both Departments to download their medical records is achieved within 180 days, (3) full interoperability of personal health care information between the Departments is achieved within one year, (4) acceleration of the exchange of real-time data between the Departments is achieved within one year, (5) the upgrade of the graphical user interface to display a joint common graphical user interface is achieved within one year, and (6) current members of the Armed Forces and their dependents may elect to receive an electronic copy of their health care records beginning not later than June 30, 2015.

Directs the VA Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the educational loans of individuals who: (1) are licensed or eligible for licensure to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans Health Administration or are enrolled in the final year of an accredited residency program in psychiatric medicine, and (2) demonstrate a commitment to a long-term career as a psychiatrist in the Veterans Health Administration.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report on pay disparities among psychiatrists of the Veterans Health Administration.

suicide prevention american veterans act extends years period eligibility hospital care medical services nursing home care veterans served active duty theater combat operations persian_gulf_war hostile force period hostilities november requires secretaries military departments provide process covered individual challenge terms characterization discharge separation armed_forces defines covered individual individual discharged separated armed_forces personality disorder discharged separated armed_forces punitive basis honorable conditions alleges basis discharge separation mental health injury disorder incurred aggravated individual service armed_forces requires secretary defense dod secretary conduct evaluation mental health care suicide prevention programs carried dod train providers health care departments recognizing risk suicide treating referring treatment individual risk suicide recognizing symptoms stress disorder ensure best practices identifying individuals risk suicide providing quality mental health care disseminated providers health care departments amends wounded warrior act require dod secretary secretary implementing electronic health record systems provide interoperability personal health care information departments defense veterans_affairs ensure health data authoritative source accessed multiple providers input new medical information created days ability patients departments download medical records achieved days interoperability personal health care information departments achieved year acceleration exchange real time data departments achieved year upgrade user interface display joint common user interface achieved year current members armed_forces dependents elect receive electronic copy health care records beginning later june directs secretary carry year pilot program repay educational loans individuals licensed eligible licensure practice psychiatric medicine veterans_health_administration enrolled final year accredited residency program psychiatric medicine demonstrate commitment long term career psychiatrist veterans_health_administration directs comptroller general gao study report pay disparities psychiatrists veterans_health_administration


Summary:
Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize and revise a research, training, and technical assistance resource center to prevent suicides (the Suicide Prevention Resource Center). Expands the program's focus from youth suicides to suicides among all ages, particularly among groups that are at high risk for suicide. Repeals authority for grants to establish research, training, and technical assistance centers related to mental health, substance abuse and the justice system.

Reauthorizes a program of grants for the development of state or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies.

Reauthorizes and revises a grant program to enhance services for students with mental health or substance use disorders at institutions of higher education. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) (who currently is merely authorized), acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services, to award grants to enhance such services and to develop best practices for the delivery of such services. Permits grant funds to be used for the provision of such services to students and to employ appropriately trained staff. Requires the Secretary to give special consideration to applications for grants that describe programs that demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional mental and substance use disorder services and the greatest potential for replication.

amends public_health_service_act reauthorize revise research training technical assistance resource center prevent suicides expands program focus youth suicides suicides ages particularly groups high risk suicide repeals authority grants establish research training technical assistance centers related mental health substance abuse justice system reauthorizes program grants development state tribal youth suicide early intervention prevention strategies reauthorizes revises grant program enhance services students mental health substance use disorders institutions higher education requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs currently merely authorized acting director center_for_mental_health_services award grants enhance services develop best practices delivery services permits grant funds provision services students employ appropriately trained staff requires secretary special consideration applications grants describe programs demonstrate greatest need new additional mental substance use disorder services greatest potential replication


Summary:
Mental Health First Aid Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to award grants to initiate and sustain mental health first aid training programs. Requires such a program to include: (1) core live training courses on the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to assist individuals in crisis to connect with appropriate local mental health care services; (2) training on mental health resources, including the location of community mental health centers in the state and local community; and (3) training on action plans and protocols for referral to such resources.

States that the Secretary shall determine the categories of individuals to be trained.

Requires such programs to train individuals to accomplish: (1) safe de-escalation of crisis situations, (2) recognition of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and (3) timely referral to mental health services in the early stages of developing mental disorders.

Requires the Secretary, in awarding grants, to: (1) ensure that grants are equitably distributed among the geographical regions of the United States, and (2) pay particular attention to the mental health training needs of populations and target audiences residing in rural areas.

mental health aid act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs acting administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa award grants initiate sustain mental health aid training programs requires program include core live training courses skills resources knowledge necessary assist individuals crisis connect appropriate local mental health care services training mental health resources including location community mental health centers state local community training action plans protocols referral resources states secretary shall determine categories individuals trained requires programs train individuals accomplish safe escalation crisis situations recognition signs symptoms mental illness timely referral mental health services early stages developing mental disorders requires secretary awarding grants ensure grants equitably distributed geographical regions united_states pay particular attention mental health training needs populations target audiences residing rural areas


Summary:
Excellence in Mental Health Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth criteria for the certification of federally-qualified community behavioral health centers. Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to certify, and recertify at least every five years, federally qualified community behavioral health centers as meeting the criteria.

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to make such centers eligible for payments for services under Medicaid.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award matching grants to states or Indian tribes to expend funds for the construction or modernization of facilities used to provide community-based mental health and substance abuse services to individuals.

excellence mental health act amends public_health_service_act set forth criteria certification federally qualified community behavioral health centers requires administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration certify recertify years federally qualified community behavioral health centers meeting criteria amends title xix medicaid social security act centers eligible payments services medicaid amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services hhs award matching grants states indian tribes expend funds construction modernization facilities provide community based mental health substance abuse services individuals


Summary: Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act - Amends Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award matching grants to states or Indian tribes to expend funds for the construction or modernization of facilities used to provide community-based mental health and substance abuse services to individuals.

authorize secretary health_and_human_services hhs award matching grants states indian tribes expend funds construction modernization facilities provide community based mental health substance abuse services individuals


Summary:
Ruth Moore Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in any case in which a veteran claims that a covered mental health condition was incurred in or aggravated by military sexual trauma during active duty, to accept as sufficient proof of service-connection a diagnosis by a mental health professional together with satisfactory lay or other evidence of such trauma and an opinion by the mental health professional that such condition is related to such trauma, if consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of such service, notwithstanding the fact that there is no official record of such incurrence or aggravation in such service, and to resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. Allows such service-connection to be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.

Includes as a "covered mental health condition" post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health diagnosis that the Secretary determines to be related to military sexual trauma.

Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress in each of 2014 through 2018 on covered claims submitted.

directs secretary veterans_affairs case veteran claims covered mental health condition incurred aggravated military sexual trauma active duty accept sufficient proof service connection diagnosis mental health professional satisfactory lay evidence trauma opinion mental health professional condition related trauma consistent circumstances conditions hardships service notwithstanding fact official record incurrence service resolve reasonable doubt favor veteran allows service connection rebutted clear convincing evidence contrary includes covered mental health condition post traumatic stress disorder anxiety depression mental health diagnosis secretary determines related military sexual trauma requires secretary report annually congress covered claims submitted


Summary:
Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), particularly those provided in rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and in hospice programs.

Amends Medicare part E (Miscellaneous) to exclude such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.

Authorizes marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.

seniors_mental_health_access_improvement_act amends title xviii medicare social security act cover marriage family therapist services mental health counselor services medicare supplementary_medical_insurance particularly provided rural health clinics federally qualified health centers hospice programs amends medicare miscellaneous exclude services skilled nursing facility prospective payment system authorizes marriage family therapists mental health counselors develop discharge plans post hospital services


Summary:
Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013 - Title I: Education Programs - Achievement Through Prevention Act - (Sec. 103) Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to allow states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools to use school improvement funds to implement schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports and early intervening services and coordinate them with similar activities carried out under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (Early intervening services are a set of coordinated services for students in kindergarten through grade 12 who are not currently identified as needing special education or related services, but who need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment.)

Revises requirements for state educational agency (SEA) reports and LEA plans to include information relating to such interventions and services. Requires schoolwide programs to implement such interventions and services, and LEAs to ensure the provision of technical assistance to schools for that implementation.

Requires school improvement plans to specify whether the LEA or school will adopt and implement related policies or practices. Allows LEA improvement plans to improve or expand such interventions and services. Applies similar requirements to statewide systems for support for LEAs and schools. Requires states that receive funds for the education of neglected or delinquent children or at-risk youth to coordinate the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, early intervening services, and school-based mental health programs to improve such students' academic performance and reduce their need for discipline.

Requires an LEA to use subgrant funds to carry out in-service training for school personnel in: (1) the techniques and supports needed to identify early any children with trauma histories and children with, or at risk of, mental illness; and (2) the use of mechanisms to refer such children to appropriate treatment and intervention services.

Authorizes programs to prevent the illegal use of drugs and violence among students to include development of school-based mental health programs.

Prescribes requirements for school-based mental health services partnership programs.

Title II: Health Programs - (Sec. 201) Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize appropriations for FY2014-FY2018 and revise requirements for a youth interagency research, training, and technical assistance resource center to expand its focus from youth suicides to suicides among all ages, particularly among groups at high risk for suicide.

Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2014-FY2018 a program of grants for the development of state or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies.

Changes the term "substance abuse" to "substance use disorder."

Reauthorizes for FY2014-FY2018 and revises a grant program to enhance services for students with mental health or substance use disorders at institutions of higher education.

(Sec. 202) Renames mental illness awareness training grants "mental health awareness training grants." Authorizes the use of grant funds for evidence-based programs for the purpose of the safe de-escalation of crisis situations involving individuals with a mental illness.

(Sec. 203) Revises requirements for grants to address the problems of persons who experience violence-related stress to specify their use for the continued operation of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) focusing on the mental, behavioral, and biological aspects of psychological trauma response.

Requires programs funded by such grants also to develop knowledge about evidence-based practices for identifying and treating mental, behavioral, and biological disorders of children and youth resulting from witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in awarding such grants, to give priority to universities and hospitals as well as mental health agencies and other programs meeting specified criteria (as under current law).

Directs the NCTSI coordinating center to: (1) collect, analyze, and report NCTSI-wide child treatment process and outcome data regarding the early identification and delivery of such treatment and services; (2) facilitate coordination of training initiatives in such treatments, interventions, and practices; and (3) collaborate with the Secretary in disseminating interventions, treatments, products and other resources to appropriate stakeholders. Requires the Secretary to ensure that NCTSI applications are reviewed by appropriate experts in the field as part of a consensus review process. Requires payments under a grant award to be made to the recipient for at least four of the five years of the grant. Authorizes appropriations for FY2014-FY2018. (Sec. 204) Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to specified congressional committees on federal requirements that impact access to treatment of mental health and substance use disorders related to integration with primary care, administrative and regulatory issues, quality measurement and accountability, and data sharing.

(Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to advance, through existing programs as appropriate, the education and awareness of providers, patients, and other appropriate stakeholders regarding all products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorders.

(Sec. 206) Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate the utilization of mental health services for children, including the usage of psychotropic medications.

(Sec. 207) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees regarding evidence-based practices for the prevention and treatment of geriatric substance use and mental health disorders, as well as disseminate information about such practices to states and nongrantees.

(Sec. 208) Encourages the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to improve, particularly through the voluntary inclusion of additional states, the National Violent Death Reporting System.

(Sec. 209) Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate the status of implementation of recommendations made in the report to the President, "On Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy."

mental health awareness improvement act title education programs achievement prevention act sec amends title elementary secondary education act esea allow states local educational agencies leas schools use school improvement funds implement schoolwide positive behavioral interventions supports early intervening services coordinate similar activities carried individuals disabilities education act early intervening services set coordinated services students kindergarten grade currently identified needing special education related services need additional academic behavioral support succeed general education environment revises requirements state educational agency sea reports lea plans include information relating interventions services requires schoolwide programs implement interventions services leas ensure provision technical assistance schools implementation requires school improvement plans specify lea school adopt implement related policies practices allows lea improvement plans improve expand interventions services applies similar requirements statewide systems support leas schools requires states receive funds education neglected delinquent children risk youth coordinate use positive behavioral interventions supports early intervening services school based mental health programs improve students academic performance reduce need discipline requires lea use subgrant funds carry service training school personnel techniques supports needed identify early children trauma histories children risk mental illness use mechanisms refer children appropriate treatment intervention services authorizes programs prevent illegal use drugs violence students include development school based mental health programs prescribes requirements school based mental health services partnership programs title health programs sec amends public_health_service_act reauthorize appropriations fy2014-fy2018 revise requirements youth interagency research training technical assistance resource center expand focus youth suicides suicides ages particularly groups high risk suicide reauthorizes appropriations fy2014-fy2018 program grants development state tribal youth suicide early intervention prevention strategies changes term substance abuse substance use disorder reauthorizes fy2014 fy2018 revises grant program enhance services students mental health substance use disorders institutions higher education sec renames mental illness awareness training grants mental health awareness training grants authorizes use grant funds evidence based programs purpose safe escalation crisis situations involving individuals mental illness sec revises requirements grants address problems persons experience violence related stress specify use continued operation national child traumatic stress initiative nctsi focusing mental behavioral biological aspects psychological trauma response requires programs funded grants develop knowledge evidence based practices identifying treating mental behavioral biological disorders children youth resulting witnessing experiencing traumatic event directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs awarding grants priority universities hospitals mental health agencies programs meeting specified criteria current law directs nctsi coordinating center collect analyze report nctsi wide child treatment process outcome data early identification delivery treatment services facilitate coordination training initiatives treatments interventions practices collaborate secretary disseminating interventions treatments products resources appropriate stakeholders requires secretary ensure nctsi applications reviewed appropriate experts field consensus review process requires payments grant award recipient years grant authorizes appropriations fy2014-fy2018 sec directs comptroller_general gao report specified congressional committees federal requirements impact access treatment mental health substance use disorders related integration primary care administrative regulatory issues quality measurement accountability data sharing sec authorizes secretary acting administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration advance existing programs appropriate education awareness providers patients appropriate stakeholders products approved food_and_drug_administration fda treat opioid use disorders sec directs comptroller general evaluate utilization mental health services children including usage psychotropic medications sec amends public_health_service_act require secretary provide technical assistance grantees evidence based practices prevention treatment geriatric substance use mental health disorders disseminate information practices states sec encourages secretary acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc improve particularly voluntary inclusion additional states national_violent_death_reporting_system sec directs comptroller general evaluate status implementation recommendations report president issues raised


Summary:
Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a program of mental health care and rehabilitation for veterans who: (1) have been discharged or released from active-duty service under conditions other than dishonorable for no more than two years; (2) are enrolled in the VA system of annual patient enrollment and were so enrolled before the date of enactment of this Act; (3) are diagnosed by a VA physician with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or substance use disorder that is service-related (as determined by the Secretary or a VA physician); and (4) agree to certain participation conditions, including not submitting a claim for veterans' disability compensation for any such condition until either one year after program commencement or the conclusion of the prescribed treatment regimen.

Requires the Secretary to provide for each participant a treatment regimen and rehabilitation plan for the determined condition.

Provides a stipend for participants, commencing upon program commencement, continuing through successful treatment and plan compliance, and ending either upon the conclusion of such treatment or one year after treatment and plan commencement. Allows a veteran to participate more than once in the program if the Secretary determines that the additional participation will assist the veteran in achieving the remediation of the condition.

act directs secretary veterans_affairs carry program mental health care rehabilitation veterans discharged released active duty service conditions dishonorable years enrolled system annual patient enrollment enrolled date enactment act diagnosed physician post traumatic stress disorder depression anxiety disorder substance use disorder service related determined secretary physician agree certain participation conditions including submitting claim veterans disability compensation condition year program commencement conclusion prescribed treatment regimen requires secretary provide participant treatment regimen rehabilitation plan determined condition provides stipend participants commencing program commencement continuing successful treatment plan compliance ending conclusion treatment year treatment plan commencement allows veteran participate program secretary determines additional participation assist veteran achieving remediation condition


Summary: Medicare Mental Health Access Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to treat as a physician, for Medicare purposes, a clinical psychologist acting within the scope of a psychologist's license (or other state law authorization), but only with respect to the furnishing of clinical psychologists services which the psychologist is legally authorized to perform by the state.

title xviii medicare social security act treat physician medicare purposes clinical psychologist acting scope psychologist license state law authorization respect furnishing clinical psychologists services psychologist legally authorized perform state


Summary:
Positive Aging Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public and private nonprofit entities to: (1) demonstrate ways of integrating mental health services for older adults into primary care settings, and (2) support the establishment and maintenance of interdisciplinary geriatric mental health outreach teams in community settings where older adults reside or receive social services.

Requires the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services to designate a Deputy Director for Older Adult Mental Health Services to develop and implement initiatives to address the mental health needs of older adults.

Includes representatives of older adults or their families and geriatric mental health professionals on the Advisory Council for the Center.

Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to providing treatment for older adults with substance abuse disorders when developing program priorities for addressing priority substance abuse treatment needs of regional and national significance.

Requires state plans for community mental health services grants to describe: (1) the state's outreach to, and services for, older individuals, individuals who are homeless, and individuals living in rural areas; and (2) how community-based services will be provided to these individuals.

positive aging act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants public private nonprofit entities demonstrate ways integrating mental health services older adults primary care settings support establishment maintenance interdisciplinary geriatric mental health outreach teams community settings older adults reside receive social services requires director center_for_mental_health_services designate deputy director older_adult_mental_health_services develop implement initiatives address mental health needs older adults includes representatives older adults families geriatric mental health professionals advisory_council_for_the_center directs secretary special consideration providing treatment older adults substance abuse disorders developing program priorities addressing priority substance abuse treatment needs regional national significance requires state plans community mental health services grants describe state outreach services older individuals individuals homeless individuals living rural areas community based services provided individuals


Summary:
Mental Health Support for Veteran Families and Caregivers Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) enter into contracts to conduct a 4-year program (with authorization for a 4-year extension) to provide a course of education to family members and caregivers of veterans on matters relating to coping with veterans' mental health disorders; (2) carry out such program in at least 10 VA medical centers, 10 VA clinics, and 10 centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans (vet centers); (3) expand such program (within 2 years) to include at least 10 additional medical centers, clinics, and vet centers; and (4) select VA mental health care providers to monitor the progress of the instruction provided under such education program.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide peer support to family members and caregivers of veterans on matters relating to coping with veterans mental health disorders; (2) provide such peer support, through group meetings conducted at least twice each calendar quarter, at each facility in which the education program is provided; (3) select an individual who has completed the education program to serve as a peer support coordinator for each facility; and (4) select a VA mental health care provider to serve as a mentor to each coordinator.

Directs the Secretary to conduct a survey of the satisfaction of program participants.

mental health support veteran families requires secretary veterans_affairs enter contracts conduct year program authorization year extension provide course education family members caregivers veterans matters relating coping veterans mental health disorders carry program medical centers clinics centers readjustment counseling related mental health services veterans vet centers expand program years include additional medical centers clinics vet centers select mental health care providers monitor progress instruction provided education program requires secretary establish program provide peer support family members caregivers veterans matters relating coping veterans mental health disorders provide peer support group meetings conducted twice calendar quarter facility education program provided select individual completed education program serve peer support coordinator facility select mental health care provider serve mentor coordinator directs secretary conduct survey satisfaction program participants


Summary: Suicide Prevention Research INnovaTion Act or the SPRINT Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the National Institute of Mental Health to use funds made available by this Act exclusively for the purpose of conducting and supporting: (1) research on the determinants of self-directed and other violence in mental illness, including studies designed to reduce the risk of self-harm, suicide, and interpersonal violence, especially in rural communities with a shortage of mental health services; and (2) brain research through the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative.

suicide prevention research innovation act act amends public health service act direct national_institute_of_mental_health use funds available act exclusively purpose conducting supporting research determinants self directed violence mental illness including studies designed reduce risk self harm suicide interpersonal violence especially rural communities shortage mental health services brain research brain initiative


Summary:
Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2014 - Expands eligibility for the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include members of the Armed Forces or veterans who are seriously injured or who became ill on active duty prior to September 11, 2001 (currently, limited to service after September 11, 2001). Expands services to caregivers of veterans under such program to include child care services, financial planning services, and legal services.

Authorizes the transfer of entitlement to post 9/11 education assistance to family members by veterans who are retired for a physical disability or who are seriously injured veterans in need of family caregiver services, without regard to length-of-service requirements.

Authorizes the VA Secretary to pay monthly special compensation to seriously injured or ill veterans in need of personal care services and to their caregivers. Excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, such compensation paid to injured or ill veterans.

Authorizes flexible work schedules or telework for federal employees who are caregivers of veterans.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to designate a veteran participating in the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers as an adult with a special need for purposes of the lifespan respite care program.

Establishes in the executive branch an interagency working group to review and report on policies relating to the caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

Directs the Secretary to provide for studies on members of the Armed Forces who commenced service after September 11, 2001, and veterans who have incurred a serious injury or illness, including a mental health injury, and their caregivers.

military improvement act expands eligibility family caregiver program department_of_veterans_affairs include members armed_forces veterans seriously injured ill active duty prior september currently limited service september expands services caregivers veterans program include child care services financial planning services legal services authorizes transfer entitlement post education assistance family members veterans retired physical disability seriously injured veterans need family caregiver services regard length service requirements authorizes secretary pay monthly special compensation seriously injured ill veterans need personal care services caregivers excludes gross income income tax purposes compensation paid injured ill veterans authorizes flexible work schedules telework federal employees caregivers veterans amends public_health_service_act designate veteran participating program comprehensive assistance family caregivers adult special need purposes lifespan respite care program establishes executive branch interagency working group review report policies relating caregivers veterans members armed_forces directs secretary provide studies members armed_forces commenced service september veterans incurred injury illness including mental health injury caregivers


Summary:
Caring for Military Children with Developmental Disabilities Act of 2014 - Includes in the treatment of military dependents' developmental disabilities under the Department of Defense (DOD) TRICARE program behavioral health treatment, including applied behavior analysis, that is prescribed by a physician or psychologist.

Allows such behavioral health treatment to be provided only to the extent that amounts are appropriated in advance for such treatment to a Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account.

Establishes in the Treasury the Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account, which is to be separate from the DOD's Defense Health Program Account.

Authorizes appropriations for, and transfers funds to, the Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account.

includes treatment military dependents developmental disabilities department_of_defense dod tricare program behavioral health treatment including applied behavior analysis prescribed physician psychologist allows behavioral health treatment provided extent amounts appropriated advance treatment establishes treasury separate dod authorizes appropriations transfers funds


Summary:
Ensuring Veterans' Resiliency Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the loans used to finance the education expenses related to psychiatric medicine of certain individuals who demonstrate a commitment to long-term careers as psychiatrists in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Requires those individuals to be: (1) licensed or eligible for licensure to practice psychiatric medicine in the VHA, or (2) enrolled in the final year of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in psychiatric medicine that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Directs the Secretary to select at least 10 individuals each year to participate in the program.

Requires program participants to agree to a period of obligated service with the VHA in the field of psychiatric medicine. Prohibits the Secretary from paying more than $60,000 on behalf of an individual for each year of obligated service the individual agrees to serve.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to conduct a study of pay disparities among VHA psychiatrists.

Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a pilot program providing a monthly housing allowance to individuals who: (1) are health care providers, (2) are or agree to become VHA employees on a full-time basis in a health care position designated by the Secretary, and (3) accept an assignment in such position for at least 36 months at a rural or highly rural community-based outpatient clinic selected by the Secretary.

Provides bonus housing allowances to participants who complete the 36 months of service and to those who complete additional one-year or two-year terms of service.

ensuring veterans secretary veterans_affairs carry year pilot program repay loans finance education expenses related psychiatric medicine certain individuals demonstrate commitment long term careers psychiatrists veterans_health_administration vha requires individuals licensed eligible licensure practice psychiatric medicine vha enrolled final year residency program leading specialty qualification psychiatric medicine approved directs secretary select individuals year participate program requires program participants agree period obligated service vha field psychiatric medicine prohibits secretary paying behalf individual year obligated service individual agrees serve directs comptroller general gao conduct study pay disparities vha psychiatrists authorizes secretary carry pilot program providing monthly housing allowance individuals health care providers agree vha employees time basis health care position designated secretary accept assignment position months rural highly rural community based outpatient clinic selected secretary provides bonus housing allowances participants complete months service complete additional year year terms service


Summary:
Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery Act or the COVER Act

Establishes the Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission to examine the evidence-based therapy treatment model used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for treating mental health conditions of veterans and the potential benefits of incorporating complementary alternative treatments available in non-VA facilities and study the potential increase in claims relating to mental health issues submitted by veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.

Directs the VA, upon a report by the Commission, to submit: (1) an action plan for implementing recommendations and a time frame for implementing complementary alternative treatments, or (2) a justification for any determination that a recommendation is not appropriate and an alternative solution to improve the efficacy of the therapy model.

creating options veterans expedited recovery_act cover act establishes examine evidence based therapy treatment model department_of_veterans_affairs treating mental health conditions veterans potential benefits incorporating complementary alternative treatments available non-va facilities study potential increase claims relating mental health issues submitted veterans served operation enduring freedom operation iraqi freedom operation new dawn directs report commission submit action plan implementing recommendations time frame implementing complementary alternative treatments justification determination recommendation appropriate alternative solution improve efficacy therapy model


Summary:
Examining America's Mental Health Services Act of 2015

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine (or, if the Institute declines to enter into such an arrangement, another appropriate entity) to conduct a comprehensive study on gaps in mental health services and how these gaps can increase the risk of violent acts.

Requires the study to include consideration of: (1) gaps in mental health treatment services for adults and children with severe and persistent mental illness, (2) barriers to receiving mental health services that result in high rates of untreated mental illness, and (3) the availability of interventions such as assisted outpatient treatment designed to reach individuals with untreated severe mental illness.

requires department_of_health_and_human_services enter agreement institute_of_medicine institute declines enter arrangement appropriate entity conduct comprehensive study gaps mental health services gaps increase risk violent acts requires study include consideration gaps mental health treatment services adults children severe persistent mental illness barriers receiving mental health services result high rates untreated mental illness availability interventions assisted outpatient treatment designed reach individuals untreated severe mental illness


Summary:
Mental Health in Schools Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise a community children and violence program to assist local communities and schools in applying a public health approach to mental health services, including by: (1) revising eligibility requirements for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement; and (2) providing for comprehensive school mental health programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, trauma-informed, and age appropriate. Requires a comprehensive school mental health program funded under this Act to assist children in dealing with trauma and violence. Makes only a partnership between a local educational agency and at least one community program or agency that is involved in mental health eligible for funding.

 Requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop a fiscally appropriate process for evaluating grant program activities, including the development of: (1) guidelines for the submission of program data by recipients; and (2) outcome measures to be applied by recipients in evaluating programs, including student and family measures and local educational measures.

mental health schools act amends public_health_service_act revise community children violence program assist local communities schools applying public health approach mental health services including revising eligibility requirements grant contract cooperative agreement providing comprehensive school mental health programs culturally linguistically appropriate trauma informed age appropriate requires comprehensive school mental health program funded act assist children dealing trauma violence makes partnership local educational agency community program agency involved mental health eligible funding requires substance abuse mental health services administration develop fiscally appropriate process evaluating grant program activities including development guidelines submission program data recipients outcome measures applied recipients evaluating programs including student family measures local educational measures


Summary:
Veterans' Mental Health Care Access Act

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make a veteran eligible for mental health care at a non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility regardless of:

 the date on which the veteran enrolled in the VA health care system, whether the veteran has attempted to schedule an appointment for such care at a VA facility, or the location of the veteran's residence.

act bill amends accountability act veteran eligible mental health care non-department_of_veterans_affairs facility regardless date veteran enrolled health care system veteran attempted schedule appointment care facility location veteran residence


Summary:
Mental Health First Aid Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend through FY2021 training grants for mental health awareness. The bill makes additional categories of individuals eligible to be trained to identify and respond to individuals with a mental illness. Programs funded by these grants must provide education on: (1) recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and (2) either the availability of relevant resources or safe de-escalation of crisis situations involving individuals with a mental illness.

mental health aid act bill amends public_health_service_act revise extend fy2021 training grants mental health awareness bill makes additional categories individuals eligible trained identify respond individuals mental illness programs funded grants provide education recognizing signs symptoms mental illness availability relevant resources safe escalation crisis situations involving individuals mental illness


Summary:
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

Prohibits, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.

veterans 2nd amendment protection act prohibits case arising administration laws benefits secretary veterans_affairs person mentally incapacitated deemed mentally incompetent experiencing extended loss consciousness considered adjudicated mental defective purposes right receive transport firearms order finding judicial authority competent jurisdiction person danger


Summary:
Enhancing Veterans' Access to Treatment Act of 2015

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish to a veteran enrolled in the VA's patient enrollment system a drug or medicine that a duly licensed physician has determined such veteran is taking or has taken during the preceding 90 days and that has been effective in treating a mental health disorder with which the veteran has been diagnosed, if the prescription is ordered by a duly licensed physician, regardless of whether such drug or medicine is available under the formulary in use by the VA.

Directs the VA to revise its prescription medication formulary to ensure that all medications within the classes of antipsychotics and antidepressants that are prescribed by DOD physicians, including such medications prescribed for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, are available at all VA pharmacies.

enhancing veterans access treatment act furnish veteran enrolled patient enrollment system drug medicine duly licensed physician determined veteran taking taken preceding days effective treating mental health disorder veteran diagnosed prescription ordered duly licensed physician regardless drug medicine available formulary use directs revise prescription medication formulary ensure medications classes antidepressants prescribed dod physicians including medications prescribed treatment post traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury depression disorder available pharmacies


Summary:
Recovery Enhancement for Addiction Treatment Act or the TREAT Act

 Amends the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of patients that a qualifying practitioner dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment is initially allowed to treat from 30 to 100 patients per year.

Allows a qualifying physician, after one year, to request approval to treat an unlimited number of patients under specified conditions, including that he or she: (1) agrees to fully participate in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program of the state in which the practitioner is licensed, (2) practices in a qualified practice setting, and (3) has completed at least 24 hours of training regarding treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients for substance use disorders provided by specified organizations.

Revises the definition of a "qualifying practitioner" to include: (1) a physician who holds a board certification from the American Board of Addiction Medicine; and (2) a nurse practitioner or physicians assistant who is licensed under state law to prescribe schedule III, IV, or V medications for pain, who has specified training or experience that demonstrates specialization in the ability to treat opiate-dependent patients, who practices under the supervision of, or prescribes opioid addiction therapy in collaboration with, a licensed physician who holds an active waiver to prescribe schedule III, IV, or V narcotic medications for opioid addiction therapy, and who practices in a qualified practice setting.

Directs the Comptroller General to initiate an evaluation of the effectiveness of this Act, including an evaluation of: (1) changes in the availability and use of medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, (2) the quality of medication-assisted treatment programs, (3) diversion of opioid addiction treatment medication, and (4) changes in state or local policies and legislation relating to opioid addiction treatment.

treat act amends controlled substances act increase number patients qualifying practitioner dispensing narcotic drugs maintenance detoxification treatment initially allowed treat patients year allows qualifying physician year request approval treat unlimited number patients specified conditions including agrees fully participate state practitioner licensed practices qualified practice setting completed hours training treatment management opiate dependent patients substance use disorders provided specified organizations revises definition qualifying practitioner include physician holds board certification nurse practitioner physicians assistant licensed state law prescribe schedule iii medications pain specified training experience demonstrates ability treat opiate dependent patients practices supervision prescribes opioid addiction therapy collaboration licensed physician holds active waiver prescribe schedule iii narcotic medications opioid addiction therapy practices qualified practice setting directs comptroller general initiate evaluation effectiveness act including evaluation changes availability use medication assisted treatment opioid addiction quality medication assisted treatment programs diversion opioid addiction treatment medication changes state local policies legislation relating opioid addiction treatment