Summary:
Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016

TITLE I--ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE

(Sec. 101) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to rename the position of Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. The bill revises the duties under this position, including to require the review and evaluation of programs related to mental illness and substance use disorders.

(Sec. 102) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation must: (1) evaluate programs related to mental illness and substance use disorders, (2) develop an evaluation strategy that identifies priority programs to be evaluated, and (3) make recommendations to improve evaluated programs.

(Sec. 103) SAMHSA's Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation is renamed the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory. The bill specifies responsibilities for the laboratory, including that the laboratory must: (1) facilitate the implementation of policy changes likely to have a significant effect on mental health; (2) collect information from SAMHSA grantees to evaluate and disseminate information on evidence-based practices; and (3) identify federal activities that are duplicative or that are not evidence-based, effective, or efficient.

(Sec. 104) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must study peer-support specialist programs that receive funding from SAMHSA to identify best practices for training and credential requirements.

(Sec. 105) This bill amends the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act to prohibit state protection and advocacy systems from using federal funds to lobby.

(Sec. 106) State protection and advocacy systems must publish their annual reports. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must include in its biennial reports detailed accounting for each system.

(Sec. 107) HHS must establish a grievance procedure for clients and potential clients of state protection and advocacy systems.

(Sec. 108) SAMHSA must establish a Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality to: (1) coordinate SAMHSA's integrated data strategy, (2) recommend measurement standards for SAMHSA grant programs, and (3) coordinate efforts to evaluate activities supported by SAMHSA. Every two years, the center must report on the quality of services furnished through SAMHSA grant programs.

(Sec. 109) Every five years, SAMHSA must develop, publish, and carry out a strategic plan.

(Sec. 110) The bill revises provisions regarding SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, including to require the centers to ensure consistent documentation of the application of grant criteria.

(Sec. 111) The bill revises membership requirements for SAMHSA advisory councils.

(Sec. 112) The bill revises membership requirements for SAMHSA peer review groups.

TITLE II--MEDICAID MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE

(Sec. 201) The bill declares that current law allows a state Medicaid plan to pay for a primary care service and a mental health service furnished to an individual on the same day by providers at the same facility.

(Sec. 202) The bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for federal payment under Medicaid, under specified conditions, for capitated payments to Medicaid managed care organizations or prepaid inpatient health plans for individuals between 21 and 65 years old who are receiving inpatient treatment in institutions for mental diseases.

(Sec. 203) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must report on Medicaid coverage of services provided through Medicaid managed care organizations or prepaid inpatient health plans to certain enrollees receiving treatment in institutions for mental diseases.

(Sec. 204) The CMS must notify state Medicaid programs regarding opportunities to design innovative service delivery systems for individuals with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance.

(Sec. 205) The CMS must collect and report specified information from states with Medicaid emergency psychiatric demonstration projects, including the extent to which there is a reduction in spending under demonstration projects.

(Sec. 206) The bill provides for federal payment under Medicaid for early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for children in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, effective January 1, 2019.

(Sec. 207) Federal payment under Medicaid for in-home personal care services or home health care services is reduced for states that do not require the use of an electronic visit verification system for such services, effective January 1, 2019. The CMS must pay a specified share of state expenditures attributable to such a system.

HHS must disseminate to states best practices for electronic visit verification systems, including training for users.

TITLE III--INTERDEPARTMENTAL SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS COORDINATING COMMITTEE

(Sec. 301) HHS must establish the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee to report on research, evaluate the effect of federal programs, provide a plan to improve outcomes for individuals, and recommend agency actions to better coordinate administration of mental health services.

TITLE IV--COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION ON HIPAA

(Sec. 402) After finalizing regulations on the confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records, HHS must convene stakeholders to determine the effect of the regulations on patient care, health outcomes, and patient privacy.

(Sec. 403) HHS must promulgate regulations clarifying the circumstances under which an entity may disclose protected health information.

(Sec. 404) HHS must develop and disseminate model programs and materials for training: (1) health care providers and legal professionals regarding disclosure of the protected health information of patients with a mental illness, and (2) patients and their families regarding their rights to protect and obtain such information.

TITLE V--INCREASING ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS

(Sec. 501) SAMHSA must award grants for assertive community treatment programs for individuals with serious mental illness. (Patients in assertive community treatment programs receive care in their community from a multidisciplinary team of providers.)

(Sec. 502) SAMHSA must award grants to enhance community-based crisis response systems or for a database of available beds at inpatient psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, and residential community mental health and residential substance use disorder treatment facilities.

(Sec. 503) This bill amends the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 to extend through FY2022 a pilot program for assisted outpatient treatment programs for individuals with serious mental illness.

(Sec. 504) A health professional volunteer providing primary health care to an individual at a community health center or through programs or events carried out by a center is deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of any civil action that may arise from providing services to patients. For a volunteer to be covered by this liability protection, HHS must approve the center's application to sponsor the volunteer.

TITLE VI--SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE AND EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS

Subtitle A--Encouraging the Advancement, Incorporation, and Development of Evidence-Based Practices

(Sec. 601) SAMHSA may award grants for the development of evidence-based interventions for mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, substance use disorders, and co-occurring illness or disorders.

(Sec. 602) SAMHSA must review and publish information on evidence-based programs and practices.

Subtitle B--Supporting the State Response to Mental Health Needs

(Sec. 611) The bill revises block grants for community mental health services. States must use at least a specified amount of a block grant to support evidence-based programs for individuals with early serious mental illness. The bill revises the block grant requirement that a state maintain spending on community mental health services.

Subtitle C--Strengthening Mental Health Care for Children and Adolescents

(Sec. 621) The Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to promote integration of behavioral health with pediatric primary care.

(Sec. 622) HHS must award grants for infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment programs.

(Sec. 623) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 a grant program to address violence-related stress. The program must support the continued operation of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI). The NCTSI coordinating center must report on child treatment and outcomes and facilitate training in evidence-based and trauma-informed treatments, interventions, and practices.

TITLE VII--GRANT PROGRAMS AND PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION

Subtitle A--Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization

(Sec. 701) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 a technical assistance resource center to prevent suicides. The center's focus is expanded from youth suicides to suicides among all ages, particularly among groups that are at high risk for suicide.

(Sec. 702) A program to provide support for youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies is also revised and extended through FY2021.

(Sec. 703) The bill revises and extends through FY2021 SAMHSA grants for mental and behavioral health services at institutions of higher education.

Subtitle B--Other Provisions

(Sec. 711) SAMHSA must maintain the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program.

(Sec. 712) SAMHSA must publish a report on the adult and pediatric mental health and substance use disorder workforce.

(Sec. 713) HHS must maintain a Minority Fellowship Program for mental and substance use treatment professionals to improve services for racial and ethnic minority populations.

(Sec. 714) The bill repeals various expired SAMHSA programs.

(Sec. 715) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraged to improve the National Violent Death Reporting System.

(Sec. 717) HHS must award grants to develop and sustain behavioral health paraprofessional training and education programs, including through tuition support.

(Sec. 718) Pediatric mental health subspecialists are eligible for National Health Service Corps programs.

(Sec. 719) SAMHSA must award grants for suicide prevention and intervention programs for adults.

(Sec. 720) SAMHSA may award grants to: (1) train first responders to recognize and intervene with individuals with mental illness, and (2) establish collaborative law enforcement and mental health programs to provide services during mental health crises.

(Sec. 721) SAMHSA may award grants to support the recruitment and training of health services psychology students, interns, and postdoctoral residents in community mental health settings.

(Sec. 722) The bill extends through FY2022 a loan repayment program for health professionals who provide pediatric specialty care to underserved areas or populations.

(Sec. 723) The bill reduces the authorization of appropriations for CDC facilities.

TITLE VIII--MENTAL HEALTH PARITY

(Sec. 801) HHS, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury must: (1) issue guidance to improve the compliance of group health plans and health insurance coverage with requirements for parity between mental health and substance use disorder benefits and medical and surgical benefits, and (2) audit the plan documents of group health plans and health insurers that repeatedly violate parity requirements.

The bill amends the PHSA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require health plan administrators to make available information, including the criteria used to make medical necessity determinations, to demonstrate compliance with parity requirements.

(Sec. 802) HHS must convene stakeholders to produce an action plan for improved federal and state coordination regarding enforcement of parity requirements.

(Sec. 803) The Employee Benefits Security Administration must report on closed federal investigations that found serious violations of parity requirements.

(Sec. 804) The GAO must report on the extent to which group health plans, health insurance coverage, Medicaid managed care plans, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) health plans comply with parity requirements.

(Sec. 805) HHS may: (1) update published information on eating disorders, (2) incorporate public resources into its obesity prevention programs, and (3) advance public awareness of eating disorders.

(Sec. 806) HHS may facilitate the identification of programs to educate and train health professionals regarding eating disorders.

(Sec. 807) The GAO must report on federal oversight of group health plans, health insurance coverage, and Medicaid managed care plans regarding compliance with parity requirements.

(Sec. 808) Eating disorder benefits under group health plans and health insurance coverage must be consistent with parity requirements.

helping families mental health crisis act title assistant secretary mental health substance use sec bill amends public_health_service_act phsa rename position administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa assistant secretary substance use bill revises duties position including require review evaluation programs related mental illness substance use disorders sec office assistant secretary evaluate programs related mental illness substance use disorders develop evaluation strategy identifies priority programs evaluated recommendations improve evaluated programs sec innovation renamed bill specifies responsibilities laboratory including laboratory facilitate implementation policy changes likely significant effect mental health collect information samhsa grantees evaluate disseminate information evidence based practices identify federal activities duplicative evidence based effective efficient sec government_accountability_office gao study peer support specialist programs receive funding samhsa identify best practices training credential requirements sec bill amends prohibit state protection advocacy systems federal funds lobby sec state protection advocacy systems publish annual reports department_of_health_and_human_services hhs include biennial reports detailed accounting system sec hhs establish grievance procedure clients potential clients state protection advocacy systems sec samhsa establish quality coordinate samhsa integrated data strategy recommend measurement standards samhsa grant programs coordinate efforts evaluate activities supported samhsa years center report quality services furnished samhsa grant programs sec years samhsa develop publish carry strategic plan sec bill revises provisions samhsa including require centers ensure consistent documentation application grant criteria sec bill revises membership requirements samhsa advisory councils sec bill revises membership requirements samhsa peer review groups title medicaid mental health coverage sec bill declares current law allows state medicaid plan pay primary care service mental health service furnished individual day providers facility sec bill amends title xix medicaid social security act provide federal payment medicaid specified conditions capitated payments medicaid managed care organizations prepaid inpatient health plans individuals years old receiving inpatient treatment institutions mental diseases sec centers medicare medicaid_services cms report medicaid coverage services provided medicaid managed care organizations prepaid inpatient health plans certain enrollees receiving treatment institutions mental diseases sec cms notify state medicaid programs opportunities design innovative service delivery systems individuals mental illness emotional disturbance sec cms collect report specified information states medicaid emergency psychiatric demonstration projects including extent reduction spending demonstration projects sec bill provides federal payment medicaid early periodic screening diagnostic treatment services children inpatient psychiatric hospitals effective january sec federal payment medicaid home personal care services home health care services reduced states require use electronic visit verification system services effective january cms pay specified share state expenditures attributable system hhs disseminate states best practices electronic visit verification systems including training users title iii interdepartmental mental illness coordinating committee sec hhs establish report research evaluate effect federal programs provide plan improve outcomes individuals recommend agency actions better coordinate administration mental health services title compassionate communication hipaa sec finalizing regulations confidentiality alcohol drug abuse patient records hhs convene stakeholders determine effect regulations patient care health outcomes patient privacy sec hhs promulgate regulations clarifying circumstances entity disclose protected health information sec hhs develop disseminate model programs materials training health care providers legal professionals disclosure protected health information patients mental illness patients families rights protect obtain information title increasing access treatment mental illness sec samhsa award grants community treatment programs individuals mental illness patients community treatment programs receive care community multidisciplinary team providers sec samhsa award grants enhance community based crisis response systems database available beds inpatient psychiatric facilities crisis stabilization units residential community mental health residential substance use disorder treatment facilities sec bill amends protecting_access medicare_act extend fy2022 pilot program assisted outpatient treatment programs individuals mental illness sec health professional volunteer providing primary health care individual community health center programs events carried center deemed employee public_health_service purposes civil action arise providing services patients volunteer covered liability protection hhs approve center application sponsor volunteer title supporting innovative evidence based programs subtitle encouraging advancement incorporation sec samhsa award grants development evidence based interventions mental illness emotional disturbance substance use disorders occurring illness disorders sec samhsa review publish information evidence based programs practices subtitle supporting state response mental health needs sec bill revises block grants community mental health services states use specified block grant support evidence based programs individuals early mental illness bill revises block grant requirement state maintain spending community mental health services subtitle strengthening mental health care children adolescents sec health_resources_and_services_administration award grants promote integration behavioral health pediatric primary care sec hhs award grants infant early childhood mental health promotion intervention treatment programs sec bill revises extends fy2021 grant program address violence related stress program support continued operation national child traumatic stress initiative nctsi nctsi coordinating center report child treatment outcomes facilitate training evidence based trauma informed treatments interventions practices title vii grant programs program reauthorization subtitle memorial act reauthorization sec bill revises extends fy2021 technical assistance resource center prevent suicides center focus expanded youth suicides suicides ages particularly groups high risk suicide sec program provide support youth suicide early intervention prevention strategies revised extended fy2021 sec bill revises extends fy2021 samhsa grants mental behavioral health services institutions higher education subtitle provisions sec samhsa maintain existing program sec samhsa publish report adult pediatric mental health substance use disorder workforce sec hhs maintain minority fellowship program mental substance use treatment professionals improve services racial ethnic minority populations sec bill repeals expired samhsa programs sec centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc encouraged improve national_violent_death_reporting_system sec hhs award grants develop sustain behavioral health paraprofessional training education programs including tuition support sec pediatric mental health subspecialists eligible national_health_service_corps programs sec samhsa award grants suicide prevention intervention programs adults sec samhsa award grants train responders recognize intervene individuals mental illness establish collaborative law enforcement mental health programs provide services mental health crises sec samhsa award grants support recruitment training health services psychology students interns postdoctoral residents community mental health settings sec bill extends fy2022 loan repayment program health professionals provide pediatric specialty care underserved areas populations sec bill reduces authorization appropriations cdc facilities title viii mental health parity sec hhs department_of_labor department_of_the_treasury issue guidance improve compliance group health plans health insurance coverage requirements parity mental health substance use disorder benefits medical surgical benefits audit plan documents group health plans health insurers repeatedly violate parity requirements bill amends phsa employee retirement income security act erisa internal revenue code require health plan administrators available information including criteria medical necessity determinations demonstrate compliance parity requirements sec hhs convene stakeholders produce action plan improved federal state coordination enforcement parity requirements sec employee benefits security administration report closed federal investigations found violations parity requirements sec gao report extent group health plans health insurance coverage medicaid managed care plans health plans comply parity requirements sec hhs update published information eating disorders incorporate public resources obesity prevention programs advance public awareness eating disorders sec hhs facilitate identification programs educate train health professionals eating disorders sec gao report federal oversight group health plans health insurance coverage medicaid managed care plans compliance parity requirements sec eating disorder benefits group health plans health insurance coverage consistent parity requirements


Summary:
Youth Mental Health Research Act

This bill authorizes the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to establish a Youth Mental Health Research Network for the conduct or support of youth mental health research and intervention services.

The NIMH may award cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts to governments and private nonprofit entities for: (1) conducting 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.

A number of these awards must 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 for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of early severe mental illness in a community setting and rapidly disseminate their findings; and (3) adhere to the guidelines, protocols, and practices used in the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study and the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode initiative.

The NIMH must establish a data coordinating center to assist awardees and distribute scientific findings generated by awardees.

act bill authorizes national_institute_of_mental_health establish conduct support youth mental health research intervention services award cooperative agreements grants contracts governments private nonprofit entities conducting 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 number awards entities agree focus primarily early detection intervention severe mental illness young people conduct coordinate multisite clinical trials prevention diagnosis treatment early severe mental illness community setting rapidly disseminate findings adhere guidelines protocols practices recovery initial episode initiative establish data coordinating center assist awardees distribute scientific findings generated awardees


Summary:
Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2015

 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.

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:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on December 3, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to identify: (1) VA mental health care and suicide prevention programs that are most effective for women veterans, and (2) those programs with the highest satisfaction rates among women veterans.

(Sec. 3) It is the sense of Congress that veterans who experience combat-related mental health wounds should have immediate and consistent access to comprehensive mental health care.

 The VA shall:

 establish standards and procedures to ensure that each covered veteran may access VA mental health care in a manner that fully accommodates the veteran's obligation to not improperly disclose classified information; and disseminate guidance to Veterans Health Administration employees, including mental health professionals, regarding these standards and procedures. "Covered veteran" means a veteran who: (1) is enrolled in the VA health care system; (2) is seeking mental health treatment; and (3) in the course of serving in the Armed Forces participated in a sensitive (classified) mission or served in a sensitive unit primarily involved in training for the conduct of, or conducting, special activities or classified missions.

measure amended reported house december summary version repeated female veteran suicide prevention act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs identify mental health care suicide prevention programs effective women veterans programs highest satisfaction rates women veterans sec sense congress veterans experience combat related mental health wounds immediate consistent access comprehensive mental health care shall establish standards procedures ensure covered veteran access mental health care manner fully accommodates veteran obligation improperly disclose classified information disseminate guidance veterans_health_administration employees including mental health professionals standards procedures covered veteran means veteran enrolled health care system seeking mental health treatment course serving armed_forces participated sensitive classified mission served sensitive unit primarily involved training conduct conducting special activities classified missions


Summary:
Improving Access to Emergency Psychiatric Care Act

This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to: (1) extend the emergency psychiatric demonstration project, which allows eligible states to provide payment for medical assistance to certain psychiatric institutions under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; and (2) eliminate certain limitations on federal funding for the project.

Provided that an eligible state's participation is projected not to increase net Medicaid program spending: (1) a state that is already participating in the project may continue to do so through FY2016, and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may allow a participating state or a new eligible state to participate in the project through 2019.

HHS must submit recommendations to Congress regarding whether the project should be further extended or expanded.

improving access emergency psychiatric care act bill amends patient_protection affordable care act extend emergency psychiatric demonstration project allows eligible states provide payment medical assistance certain psychiatric institutions title xix medicaid social security act eliminate certain limitations federal funding project provided eligible state participation projected increase net medicaid program spending state participating project continue fy2016 department_of_health_and_human_services hhs allow participating state new eligible state participate project hhs submit recommendations congress project extended expanded


Summary:
Improving Access to Mental Health Act

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) increase the Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical social worker services, (2) exclude clinical social worker services from the prospective payment system in which predetermined amounts form the basis for payment under Medicare, and (3) alter the definition of “clinical social worker services” as it relates to Medicare.

Under current law, “clinical social worker services”: (1) include services performed for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, and (2) exclude services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility as a condition of the facility's participation in the Medicare program. The bill repeals these provisions and instead specifies that such services include certain types of health behavior assessment and intervention.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act increase medicare reimbursement rate clinical social worker services exclude clinical social worker services prospective payment system predetermined amounts form basis payment medicare alter definition clinical social worker services relates medicare current law clinical social worker services include services performed diagnosis treatment mental illnesses exclude services furnished inpatient skilled nursing facility condition facility participation medicare program bill repeals provisions instead specifies services include certain types health behavior assessment intervention


Summary:
Mental Health and Safe Communities Act of 2015

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants for: (1) mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, (2) state compliance with federal mental health records requirements, (3) court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment, (4) pretrial screening and supervision, (5) behavioral health assessments and intervention, (6) forensic assertive community treatment, and (7) the establishment of a National Criminal Justice and Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance Center.

In addition, the bill expands the purposes for which grant funds may be used under existing programs related to: (1) public safety and community policing, (2) staffing for adequate fire and emergency response, (3) school security, and (4) residential substance abuse treatment for inmates.

DOJ must establish a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of diverting eligible offenders to drug or mental health courts.

Each of the federal uniformed services must be provided specialized mental health training.

With respect to an existing grant program for drug treatment alternatives to incarceration, the bill revises program requirements and expands the program to also cover mental health treatment alternatives.

Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015

DOJ is further authorized to award grants: (1) for sequential intercept mapping, which is aimed at minimizing criminal justice involvement for individuals with mental illness; (2) for various programs related to the behavioral health of veterans; (3) to assist correctional facilities in addressing the needs of inmates with mental illness; and (4) to train law enforcement in responding to situations involving individuals with mental illness.

The bill revises the definition of "preliminarily qualified offenders" who must be targeted by certain grant-funded collaboration programs between mental health and justice agencies.

The bill reauthorizes through FY2020 and revises the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act of 2007.

Current law prohibits the sale or disposition of a firearm or ammunition to any person who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution. The bill instead prohibits such a sale or disposition to any person who has been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a psychiatric hospital, as defined by the bill.

The bill also establishes: (1) procedures for administrative review of a determination that a person has been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a psychiatric hospital, and (2) conditions for removal of records from NICS.

The bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the following: (1) adult and juvenile collaboration programs, and (2) mental health courts and qualified drug treatment programs.

mental health safe communities act bill amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act authorize department_of_justice doj award grants mental health programs related law enforcement corrections programs state compliance federal mental health records requirements court ordered assisted outpatient treatment pretrial screening supervision behavioral health assessments intervention forensic community treatment establishment mental health training technical assistance center addition bill expands purposes grant funds existing programs related public safety community policing staffing adequate fire emergency response school security residential substance abuse treatment inmates doj establish pilot program determine effectiveness diverting eligible offenders drug mental health courts federal uniformed services provided specialized mental health training respect existing grant program drug treatment alternatives incarceration bill revises program requirements expands program cover mental health treatment alternatives comprehensive justice mental health act doj authorized award grants sequential intercept mapping aimed minimizing criminal justice involvement individuals mental illness programs related behavioral health veterans assist correctional facilities addressing needs inmates mental illness train law enforcement responding situations involving individuals mental illness bill revises definition qualified offenders targeted certain grant funded collaboration programs mental health justice agencies bill reauthorizes fy2020 revises nics improvement amendments act current law prohibits sale disposition firearm ammunition person adjudicated mental defective committed mental institution bill instead prohibits sale disposition person adjudicated mentally incompetent committed psychiatric hospital defined bill bill establishes procedures administrative review determination person adjudicated mentally incompetent committed psychiatric hospital conditions removal records nics bill reauthorizes fy2020 following adult juvenile collaboration programs mental health courts qualified drug treatment programs


Summary:
Honoring our Returning Veterans and Service Members Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop jointly a methodology that identifies which members of the Armed Forces and veterans are at high risk of suicide.

DOD and the VA shall use this information to: (1) identify which units that were deployed in support of a post-September 11, 2001, contingency operation have a disproportionately high rate of suicide and suicide attempts, and (2) provide additional mental health preventative and treatment resources for veterans who were so deployed.

The use of such information is restricted.

honoring returning veterans service members act bill directs department_of_defense dod department_of_veterans_affairs develop jointly methodology identifies members armed_forces veterans high risk suicide dod shall use information identify units deployed support post september contingency operation disproportionately high rate suicide suicide attempts provide additional mental health preventative treatment resources veterans deployed use information restricted


Summary:
Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act

This bill makes any veteran who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during specified conflicts eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any mental illness through the Department of Veterans Affairs, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the mental illness is attributable to such service.

The conflicts specified include World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, the Persian Gulf War, Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, or any other period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or in combat against a hostile force during any period of hostilities.

accessibility act bill makes veteran served active duty theater combat operations specified conflicts eligible hospital care medical services nursing home care mental illness department_of_veterans_affairs notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence conclude mental illness attributable service conflicts specified include world war korean conflict vietnam era persian_gulf_war operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom period war persian_gulf_war combat hostile force period hostilities


Summary:
Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and Internal Revenue Code to direct the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury to require group health plans and health insurers to disclose the analyses performed to ensure compliance of plans or coverage with the law and regulations. Disclosures must include findings and conclusions regarding whether nonquantitative treatment limitations (e.g., tiered benefits, step therapy, or preauthorization) applied to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to, and applied no more stringently than, such limitations on medical and surgical benefits.

HHS, Labor, and Treasury must: (1) issue guidance on the process for current and potential participants and beneficiaries to file formal complaints of plans or insurers being in violation of the requirement for parity between mental health and substance use disorder benefits and medical and surgical benefits, (2) conduct audits of plans and insurers to determine compliance with parity requirements and publish information from those audits, and (3) publish information on denials of claims by plans and insurers for mental health and substance use disorder services compared to denials of claims for medical and surgical services.

HHS must establish a consumer parity portal website that allows for submission of complaints and provides information to consumers on parity.

The Government Accountability Office must report on HHS, Labor, and Treasury efforts to enforce parity.

behavioral health coverage transparency act bill amends public_health_service_act employee retirement income security act erisa internal_revenue_code direct hhs labor treasury require group health plans health insurers disclose analyses performed ensure compliance plans coverage law regulations disclosures include findings conclusions treatment limitations tiered benefits step therapy applied mental health substance use disorder benefits comparable applied limitations medical surgical benefits hhs labor treasury issue guidance process current potential participants beneficiaries file formal complaints plans insurers violation requirement parity mental health substance use disorder benefits medical surgical benefits conduct audits plans insurers determine compliance parity requirements publish information audits publish information denials claims plans insurers mental health substance use disorder services compared denials claims medical surgical services hhs establish consumer parity portal website allows submission complaints provides information consumers parity government_accountability_office report hhs labor treasury efforts enforce parity


Summary:
Coordinating Crisis Care Act

This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to states for real-time, Internet-based bed registries that provide information about beds in inpatient psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, residential community mental health treatment facilities, and residential substance abuse treatment facilities to facilitate the identification of space for the temporary treatment of an individual in psychiatric or substance abuse crisis.

A bed registry must: (1) describe and provide contact information for every relevant facility in the state; (2) provide real-time information about the number of beds available at each facility and, for each available bed, provide the type of patient that may be admitted, the level of security provided, and any other information that may be necessary to identify an appropriate facility for an individual in crisis; and (3) allow specified users to search the registry for an appropriate and available bed for an individual in crisis.

coordinating crisis care act bill requires substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration award grants states real time internet based bed registries provide information beds inpatient psychiatric facilities crisis stabilization units residential community mental health treatment facilities residential substance abuse treatment facilities facilitate identification space temporary treatment individual psychiatric substance abuse crisis bed registry describe provide contact information relevant facility state provide real time information number beds available facility available bed provide type patient admitted level security provided information necessary identify appropriate facility individual crisis allow specified users search registry appropriate available bed individual crisis


Summary:
Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to award grants to institutions of higher education to provide and improve mental and behavioral health services, conduct research regarding improving the mental health of students, and expand outreach and training on college and university campuses.

SAMHSA must give special consideration to programs that: (1) demonstrate the greatest need, (2) propose effective approaches for initiating or expanding campus services, (3) target underserved and at-risk populations, (4) coordinate with a community mental health center or other community mental health resources, (5) identify how the college or university will address psychiatric emergencies, (6) propose innovative practices to improve care or prevention programs, and (7) demonstrate the greatest potential for replication and dissemination.

SAMHSA must convene an interagency, public-private sector working group to plan, establish, and begin coordinating and evaluating a targeted public education campaign that is designed to focus on mental and behavioral health on college and university campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services must establish the College Campus Task Force to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns on college and university campuses.

mental health campus improvement act bill amends public_health_service_act require substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa award grants institutions higher education provide improve mental behavioral health services conduct research improving mental health students expand outreach training college university campuses samhsa special consideration programs demonstrate greatest need propose effective approaches initiating expanding campus services target underserved risk populations coordinate community mental health center community mental health resources identify college university address psychiatric emergencies propose innovative practices improve care prevention programs demonstrate greatest potential replication dissemination samhsa convene interagency public private sector working group plan establish begin coordinating evaluating targeted public education campaign designed focus mental behavioral health college university campuses department_of_health_and_human_services establish college_campus_task_force discuss mental behavioral health concerns college university campuses


Summary:
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support program to make grants to eligible entities for peer-to-peer mental health programs for veterans.

"Eligible entity" means: (1) a nonprofit organization having historically served the mental health needs of veterans; (2) a congressionally chartered veteran service organization; or (3) a state, local, or tribal veteran service agency, director, or commissioner.

The VA shall establish an advisory committee to create appropriate program standards.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs establish pfc veteran program grants eligible entities peer peer mental health programs veterans eligible entity means nonprofit organization having historically served mental health needs veterans congressionally chartered veteran service organization state local tribal veteran service agency director commissioner shall establish advisory committee create appropriate program standards


Summary:
Expand Excellence in Mental Health Act of 2016

This bill amends the Promoting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 to increase, from 8 to 24, the number of states that may be selected to participate in Medicaid demonstration programs to improve community mental health services.

expand excellence mental health act bill amends medicare_act increase number states selected participate medicaid demonstration programs improve community mental health services


Summary:
Extend Excellence in Mental Health Act of 2016

This bill amends the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 to extend and expand the Medicaid community mental health services demonstration program. Under current law, the program is limited to no more than eight states.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall extend an existing program and may expand the number of programs if, with respect to the requesting state, CMS determines that: (1) the state's participation in the program will measurably improve access to, and participation in, specified behavioral health services; and (2) the state is in full compliance with specified reporting requirements.

The bill also specifies that, for purposes of implementing specified CMS guidance on demonstration program testing, a "clinical visit" includes on-site behavioral health services, certain community services, and telehealth services.

extend excellence mental health act bill amends protecting_access medicare_act extend expand medicaid community mental health services demonstration program current law program limited states centers cms shall extend existing program expand number programs respect requesting state cms determines state participation program measurably improve access participation specified behavioral health services state compliance specified reporting requirements bill specifies purposes implementing specified cms guidance demonstration program testing clinical visit includes site behavioral health services certain community services telehealth services


Summary:
Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a program to provide former members of the Armed Forces with: (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) health care services required to treat the former member's urgent mental health care needs, including risk of suicide or harming others.

 A former member of the Armed Forces is an individual who meets either of the following criteria:

 the individual is a former member of the Armed Forces, including the reserve components, who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and was discharged or released under a condition less than honorable (except a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge by reason of a general court martial), has applied for a character of service determination that has not yet been made, and is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the VA health care system by reason of such discharge or release; or the individual is a veteran not otherwise eligible for VA health care. The VA may provide such mental health care services pursuant to a contract with a qualified mental health professional if: (1) the receipt of mental health care services by an individual in VA facilities would be clinically inadvisable, or (2) VA facilities are not capable of furnishing such mental health care services to that individual economically because of geographical inaccessibility.

The VA shall seek to enter into a contract with an independent nongovernmental entity to study the effect combat service has had on suicide rates and serious mental health issues among veterans.

veteran urgent access mental healthcare act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish program provide members armed_forces initial mental health assessment health care services required treat member urgent mental health care needs including risk suicide harming member armed_forces individual meets following criteria individual member armed_forces including reserve components served active military naval air service discharged released condition honorable dishonorable bad conduct discharge reason general court martial applied character service determination eligible enroll health care system reason discharge release individual veteran eligible health care provide mental health care services pursuant contract qualified mental health professional receipt mental health care services individual facilities clinically facilities capable furnishing mental health care services individual economically geographical inaccessibility shall seek enter contract independent nongovernmental entity study effect combat service suicide rates mental health issues veterans


Summary:
Protection and Advocacy for Veterans Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year grant program to improve the monitoring of VA mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.

The VA shall award a grant to four protection and advocacy systems under which each recipient shall investigate and monitor VA facilities care and treatment of veterans with mental illness or substance abuse issues. Criteria for selecting recipients shall include whether the state in which the protection and advocacy system operates has low mental health, performance, and access scores.

During each year in which a protection and advocacy system carries out a demonstration project, the VA shall award a joint grant to a national organization with extensive knowledge of the protection and advocacy system and a veterans service organization to: (1) coordinate training and technical assistance, and (2) provide for related data collection, reporting, and analysis.

 "Protection and advocacy system" means the state-established system to protect and advocate the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.

protection advocacy veterans act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish year grant program improve monitoring mental health substance abuse treatment programs shall award grant protection advocacy systems recipient shall investigate monitor facilities care treatment veterans mental illness substance abuse issues criteria selecting recipients shall include state protection advocacy system operates low mental health performance access scores year protection advocacy system carries demonstration project shall award joint grant national organization extensive knowledge protection advocacy system veterans service organization coordinate training technical assistance provide related data collection reporting analysis protection advocacy system means state established system protect advocate rights persons developmental disabilities


Summary: This bill provides that persons with a degree that is equivalent to a master's degree in mental health counseling shall be eligible for appointment to a Department of Veterans Affairs licensed professional mental health counselor position.

bill provides persons degree equivalent master degree mental health counseling shall eligible appointment department_of_veterans_affairs licensed professional mental health counselor position


Summary:
Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations.

communities act bill amends public_health_service_act require substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration develop implement outreach education strategy promote behavioral mental health reduce stigma associated mental health conditions substance abuse asian american native hawaiian populations


Summary:
Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the focus of a youth interagency research, training, and technical assistance resource center from youth suicides to suicide at any age, particularly among groups at high risk for suicide. The center is reauthorized through FY2020.

This bill revises and extends through FY2020 grant programs for: (1) the development of state or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies, (2) enhancement of services for students with mental health or substance use disorders at institutions of higher education, and (3) training school personnel to recognize symptoms of childhood and adolescent mental disorders and safely de-escalate crisis situations involving individuals with a mental illness.

The grant program to address violence-related stress must support the continued operation of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI). The NCTSI coordinating center must report on child treatment and outcomes and facilitate training in evidence-based and trauma-informed treatments, interventions, and practices.

The Government Accountability Office must report on access to treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, prescription of psychotropic medications to children, and the implementation of recommendations made in "On Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy."

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) may advance awareness of products approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid use disorders. (Opioids are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as certain pain medications.)

SAMHSA must provide technical assistance to grantees regarding evidence-based practices for the prevention and treatment of geriatric mental health disorders and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, as well as disseminate information about such practices.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraged to improve the National Violent Death Reporting System.

mental health awareness improvement act bill amends public_health_service_act expand focus youth interagency research training technical assistance resource center youth suicides suicide age particularly groups high risk suicide center reauthorized fy2020 bill revises extends fy2020 grant programs development state tribal youth suicide early intervention prevention strategies enhancement services students mental health substance use disorders institutions higher education training school personnel recognize symptoms childhood adolescent mental disorders safely crisis situations involving individuals mental illness grant program address violence related stress support continued operation national child traumatic stress initiative nctsi nctsi coordinating center report child treatment outcomes facilitate training evidence based trauma informed treatments interventions practices government_accountability_office report access treatment mental health substance use disorders prescription psychotropic medications children implementation recommendations issues raised virginia tech substance abuse mental health services administration samhsa advance awareness products approved food_and_drug_administration treat opioid use disorders opioids drugs effects similar opium certain pain medications samhsa provide technical assistance grantees evidence based practices prevention treatment geriatric mental health disorders occurring mental health substance use disorders disseminate information practices centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention encouraged improve national_violent_death_reporting_system


Summary:
Fair Care for Kids Act

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for medical assistance under a state Medicaid program with respect to the full-range of early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for children in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, whether or not such services are furnished by the child's inpatient psychiatric provider.

kids act bill amends title xix medicaid social security act provide medical assistance state medicaid program respect range early periodic screening diagnostic treatment services children inpatient psychiatric hospitals services furnished child inpatient psychiatric provider


Summary:
Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2016

This bill allows an individual who has been diagnosed with a mental health condition and who is transitioning from receiving treatment from the Department of Defense to receiving treatment from in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to elect to continue receiving treatment from such individual's DOD mental health provider.

Such individual shall receive the same level of priority as members of the Armed Forces at the facility at which the individual has elected to continue treatment. The VA shall reimburse DOD for rendered services that otherwise would have been furnished by the VA.

If the DOD mental health care provider departs the facility at which the covered individual is receiving treatment, such individual may elect to obtain the services of: (1) a different mental health care provider at the same facility, or (2) a VA mental health care provider.

mental health care provider retention act bill allows individual diagnosed mental health condition transitioning receiving treatment department_of_defense receiving treatment department_of_veterans_affairs elect continue receiving treatment individual dod mental health provider individual shall receive level priority members armed_forces facility individual elected continue treatment shall reimburse dod rendered services furnished dod mental health care provider departs facility covered individual receiving treatment individual elect obtain services different mental health care provider facility mental health care provider


Summary: This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow medical assistance under the Medicaid program to include payment for inpatient, nonhospital, residential substance use disorder treatment for individuals over age 21.

bill amends title xix medicaid social security act allow medical assistance medicaid program include payment inpatient nonhospital residential substance use disorder treatment individuals age


Summary:
Never Again Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), upon the request of a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and entitled to in-patient psychiatric care, to furnish such veteran with in-patient psychiatric care at: (1) the VA facility that is closest to where the veteran resides and that has the capacity and capability to provide such care, or (2) at a non-VA facility if the VA facility lacks such capacity or capability.

act bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs request veteran enrolled health care system entitled patient psychiatric care furnish veteran patient psychiatric care facility closest veteran resides capacity capability provide care non-va facility facility lacks capacity capability


Summary:
Veteran Mental Health Care Expansion Act of 2016

This bill provides that a bar on veterans benefits shall not apply to counseling and related mental health services for an individual if the Department of Veterans Affairs determines that, at the time of the commission of an offense leading to such individual's court-martial, discharge, or resignation, such individual had a service-connected disability related to mental health.

act bill provides bar veterans benefits shall apply counseling related mental health services individual department_of_veterans_affairs determines time commission offense leading individual court martial discharge resignation individual service connected disability related mental health


Summary:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Accessibility Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to permit the Department of Health and Human Services to make loans and loan guarantees for construction or renovation of psychiatric or substance abuse treatment facilities. The bill establishes terms and conditions for these loans and loan guarantees.

The bill establishes the Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Trust Fund. Revenues from the loans and loan guarantees that exceed the cost of carrying out the program may be appropriated to the fund. Amounts in the fund are available for block grants for community mental health services.

substance abuse treatment accessibility act bill amends public_health_service_act permit department_of_health_and_human_services loans loan guarantees construction renovation psychiatric substance abuse treatment facilities bill establishes terms conditions loans loan guarantees bill establishes revenues loans loan guarantees exceed cost carrying program appropriated fund amounts fund available block grants community mental health services


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on November 16, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Improving Access to Emergency Psychiatric Care Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to revise the length of the emergency psychiatric demonstration project under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act that is currently limited to three years.

Participation in the demonstration project shall be extended through FY2016 for any requesting states selected for eligibility to participate on or before March 13, 2012, if the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) certify, that a state's participation is projected not to increase net Medicaid program spending.

An additional extension through December 31, 2019, may be granted to a state, and the number of states eligible to participate may be expanded through December 31, 2019, if the same fiscal criteria are met.

HHS shall review annually each participating state's demonstration project expenditures to ensure budget neutrality. If a state's net programming spending has increased as a result of its participation in the project, HHS shall treat the excess expenditures as an overpayment under Medicaid.

This bill also revises certain limitations on federal funding.

HHS must submit recommendations to Congress: (1) first on whether the demonstration project should be continued after September 30, 2016, (2) whether it should be expanded to additional states, (3) subsequently on whether it should be permanently continued after December 31, 2019, in one or more states, and (4) finally on whether the demonstration project should be expanded (including on a nationwide basis).

$100,000 shall be available for the project from unobligated balances of amounts available in the CMS Program Management account.

measure amended passed house november summary version repeated improving access emergency psychiatric care act sec bill amends patient_protection affordable care act revise length emergency psychiatric demonstration project title xix medicaid social security act currently limited years participation demonstration project shall extended fy2016 requesting states selected eligibility participate march department_of_health_and_human_services hhs determines centers cms certify state participation projected increase net medicaid program spending additional extension december granted state number states eligible participate expanded december fiscal criteria met hhs shall review annually participating state demonstration project expenditures ensure budget neutrality state net programming spending increased result participation project hhs shall treat excess expenditures overpayment medicaid bill revises certain limitations federal funding hhs submit recommendations congress demonstration project continued september expanded additional states subsequently permanently continued december states finally demonstration project expanded including nationwide basis shall available project unobligated balances amounts available account


Summary:
Mental Health First Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require 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 training on: (1) the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to assist individuals in crisis to connect with appropriate local mental health care services; (2) mental health resources, including the location of community mental health centers; and (3) protocols for referral to mental health resources.

Sets forth the categories of individuals to be trained under the program, including first responders, law enforcement personnel, teachers and school administrators, human resources professionals, nurses and other primary care personnel, students enrolled in school, parents of students, and veterans and veteran stakeholders.

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

Requires SAMHSA to ensure that grants are equitably distributed geographically, and to pay particular attention to the mental health training needs of rural areas.

mental health act amends public_health_service_act require substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa award grants initiate sustain mental health aid training programs requires program include training skills resources knowledge necessary assist individuals crisis connect appropriate local mental health care services mental health resources including location community mental health centers protocols referral mental health resources sets forth categories individuals trained program including responders law enforcement personnel teachers school administrators human resources professionals nurses primary care personnel students enrolled school parents students veterans veteran stakeholders 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 samhsa ensure grants equitably distributed geographically pay particular attention mental health training needs rural areas


Summary:
Military and Veterans Mental Health Provider Assessment Act of 2015

Directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that all health care providers under their respective jurisdictions receive, at least once every three years, empirically supported training on the recognition and assessment of individuals at risk for suicide and the management of such risk.

Requires such Departments to: (1) conduct annual evaluations of the implementation by mental health care providers under their jurisdictions of Department-recommended clinical practice guidelines and other evidence-based treatments and approaches, and (2) incorporate such evaluations into the employee evaluation process of such providers.

Directs such Departments to jointly submit: (1) a report assessing their mental health work forces and the long-term mental health care needs of members of the Armed Forces and veterans for purposes of determining long-term needs of such Departments for mental health care providers; and (2) a plan to jointly develop procedures to compile and assess data relating to outcomes for mental health care provided by the Departments, variations in such outcomes among different Department medical facilities, and barriers to the implementation by Department mental health care providers of recommended clinical practice guidelines and other evidence-based treatments and approaches.

military assessment act department_of_veterans_affairs ensure health care providers respective jurisdictions receive years supported training recognition assessment individuals risk suicide management risk requires departments conduct annual evaluations implementation mental health care providers jurisdictions department recommended clinical practice guidelines evidence based treatments approaches incorporate evaluations employee evaluation process providers directs departments jointly submit report assessing mental health work forces long term mental health care needs members armed_forces veterans purposes determining long term needs departments mental health care providers plan jointly develop procedures compile assess data relating outcomes mental health care provided departments variations outcomes different department medical facilities barriers implementation department mental health care providers recommended clinical practice guidelines evidence based treatments approaches


Summary:
Prioritizing Veterans Access to Mental Health Care Act of 2015

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make a veteran seeking mental health care in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) entity eligible for such care if the veteran provides a written statement (which may be sent electronically or made in person or by fax) that the veteran seeks mental health care from the VA and has not received timely and adequate mental health care through a VA facility or health care provider.

The VA shall give health professional hiring priority to those health professionals for which there is the greatest need, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health care providers.

bill amends accountability act veteran seeking mental health care non-department_of_veterans_affairs entity eligible care veteran provides written statement sent electronically person fax veteran seeks mental health care received timely adequate mental health care facility health care provider shall health professional hiring priority health professionals greatest need psychiatrists psychologists mental health care providers


Summary:
Ruth Moore Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 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: (1) 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 (2) 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 2016 through 2020 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 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) cover marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare, (2) exclude such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system, and (3) authorize marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.

seniors_mental_health_access_improvement_act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act cover marriage family therapist services mental health counselor services medicare exclude services skilled nursing facility prospective payment system authorize marriage family therapists mental health counselors develop discharge plans post hospital services


Summary:
Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the focus of a youth interagency research, training, and technical assistance resource center from youth suicides to suicide at any age, particularly among groups at high risk for suicide. The center is reauthorized through FY2020.

This bill revises and extends through FY2020 grant programs for: (1) the development of state or tribal youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies, (2) enhancement of services for students with mental health or substance use disorders at institutions of higher education, and (3) training school personnel to recognize symptoms of childhood and adolescent mental disorders and safely de-escalate crisis situations involving individuals with a mental illness.

(Sec. 4) The grant program to address violence-related stress must support the continued operation of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI). The NCTSI coordinating center must report on child treatment and outcomes and facilitate training in evidence-based and trauma-informed treatments, interventions, and practices.

(Sec. 5) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on federal requirements that impact access to treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.

(Sec. 6) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) may advance awareness of products approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid use disorders. (Opioids are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as certain pain medications.)

(Sec. 7) The GAO must report on children's access to mental health services and prescription of psychotropic medications to children.

(Sec. 8) SAMHSA must provide technical assistance to grantees regarding evidence-based practices for the prevention and treatment of geriatric mental health disorders and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, as well as disseminate information about such practices.

(Sec. 9) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraged to improve the National Violent Death Reporting System.

(Sec. 10) The GAO must evaluate the utilization of mental health services for children and the implementation of recommendations made in "On Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy."

(Sec. 11) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation must evaluate the impact of SAMHSA activities and recommend performance metrics for SAMHSA programs. SAMHSA must advance the use of performance metrics to improve programs.

mental health awareness improvement act sec bill amends public_health_service_act expand focus youth interagency research training technical assistance resource center youth suicides suicide age particularly groups high risk suicide center reauthorized fy2020 bill revises extends fy2020 grant programs development state tribal youth suicide early intervention prevention strategies enhancement services students mental health substance use disorders institutions higher education training school personnel recognize symptoms childhood adolescent mental disorders safely crisis situations involving individuals mental illness sec grant program address violence related stress support continued operation national child traumatic stress initiative nctsi nctsi coordinating center report child treatment outcomes facilitate training evidence based trauma informed treatments interventions practices sec government_accountability_office gao report federal requirements impact access treatment mental health substance use disorders sec substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa advance awareness products approved food_and_drug_administration treat opioid use disorders opioids drugs effects similar opium certain pain medications sec gao report children access mental health services prescription psychotropic medications children sec samhsa provide technical assistance grantees evidence based practices prevention treatment geriatric mental health disorders occurring mental health substance use disorders disseminate information practices sec centers disease control prevention encouraged improve national_violent_death_reporting_system sec gao evaluate utilization mental health services children implementation recommendations issues raised virginia tech sec office assistant secretary evaluate impact samhsa activities recommend performance metrics samhsa programs samhsa advance use performance metrics improve programs


Summary:
Mental Health Reform Act of 2015

This bill creates the position of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders to oversee the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Mental health programs are extended and training regarding mental health is expanded.

SAMHSA must establish the National Mental Health Policy Laboratory and the Interagency Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee.

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institute of Mental Health to translate evidence-based interventions and the best available science into systems of care.

The Health Resources and Services Administration must support the creation and expansion of child psychiatry access programs.

Certain mental health care professional volunteers are provided liability protection.

Pediatric mental health subspecialists are eligible for National Health Service Corps programs.

An underserved population of children or a site for training in child psychiatry can be designated as a health professional shortage area.

SAMHSA must award primary care and behavioral health care integration grants to state entities to fund improvements in settings with integrated care.

The Department of Health and Human Services must develop a model program and materials for training health care providers regarding the disclosure of the protected health information of patients with a mental illness.

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to conditionally expand coverage of mental health services.

mental health reform act bill creates position assistant secretary substance use disorders oversee substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration samhsa mental health programs extended training mental health expanded samhsa establish bill amends public_health_service_act require national_institute_of_mental_health translate evidence based interventions best available science systems care health_resources_and_services_administration support creation expansion child psychiatry access programs certain mental health care professional volunteers provided liability protection pediatric mental health subspecialists eligible national_health_service_corps programs underserved population children site training child psychiatry designated health professional shortage area samhsa award primary care behavioral health care integration grants state entities fund improvements settings integrated care department_of_health_and_human_services develop model program materials training health care providers disclosure protected health information patients mental illness bill amends title xix medicaid social security act conditionally expand coverage mental health services


Summary:
Improving Access to Mental Health Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) increase the Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical social worker services, (2) exclude clinical social worker services from the prospective payment system in which predetermined amounts form the basis for payment under Medicare, and (3) alter the definition of "clinical social worker services" as it relates to Medicare.

Under current law, "clinical social worker services": (1) include services performed for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, and (2) exclude services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility as a condition of the facility's participation in the Medicare program. The bill repeals these provisions and instead specifies that such services include certain types of health behavior assessment and intervention.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act increase medicare reimbursement rate clinical social worker services exclude clinical social worker services prospective payment system predetermined amounts form basis payment medicare alter definition clinical social worker services relates medicare current law clinical social worker services include services performed diagnosis treatment mental illnesses exclude services furnished inpatient skilled nursing facility condition facility participation medicare program bill repeals provisions instead specifies services include certain types health behavior assessment intervention


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to identify: (1) VA mental health care and suicide prevention programs that are most effective for women veterans, and (2) such programs with the highest satisfaction rates among women veterans.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate passed version repeated female veteran suicide prevention act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs identify mental health care suicide prevention programs effective women veterans programs highest satisfaction rates women veterans


Summary:
Expand Excellence in Mental Health Act

This bill amends the Promoting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 to increase, from 8 to 24, the number of states that may be selected to participate in Medicaid demonstration programs to improve community mental health services.

expand excellence mental health act bill amends medicare_act increase number states selected participate medicaid demonstration programs improve community mental health services


Summary:
Sergeant Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act

 This bill expresses the sense of Congress that veterans who experience combat-related mental health wounds should have immediate and consistent access to comprehensive mental health care.

 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall:

 establish standards and procedures to ensure that a veteran who participated in a classified mission or served in a sensitive unit while in the Armed Forces may access VA mental health care in a manner that fully accommodates the veteran's obligation to not improperly disclose classified information; disseminate guidance to employees of the Veterans Health Administration, including mental health professionals, on such standards and procedures and on how to best engage such veterans during the course of mental health treatment with respect to classified information; and ensure that an individual may elect to identify as such a veteran on an appropriate form.

veterans access care act bill expresses sense congress veterans experience combat related mental health wounds immediate consistent access comprehensive mental health care department_of_veterans_affairs shall establish standards procedures ensure veteran participated classified mission served sensitive unit armed_forces access mental health care manner fully accommodates veteran obligation improperly disclose classified information disseminate guidance employees veterans_health_administration including mental health professionals standards procedures best engage veterans course mental health treatment respect classified information ensure individual elect identify veteran appropriate form


Summary:
Medicare Mental Health Access Act

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand the definition of "physician," for purposes of the Medicare program, to include a clinical psychologist with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services.

The bill excludes a clinical psychologist, in 2017 and 2018, from certain negative payment adjustments for failing to be a meaningful electronic health records user.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act expand definition physician purposes medicare program include clinical psychologist respect furnishing qualified psychologist services bill excludes clinical psychologist certain negative payment adjustments failing meaningful electronic health records user