June 22, 2022

House Passes Ten New Dem Endorsed Bills to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

New Dems Secure Critical Wins for Americans and Help Deliver on President Biden’s Unity Agenda

Today, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Members voted to pass a package that includes ten bipartisan NDC-endorsed bills to address the mental health and substance use disorder crises. As part of the Coalition’s effort to pass bipartisan bills in line with President Biden’s unity agenda, New Dems endorsed a slate of mental health and substance use disorder bills that will increase access to health care services, promote behavioral health care for children, and ensure health care providers can effectively treat substance use disorders. 

This legislation comes at a critical time. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated both the mental health and substance use disorder crises facing the country. In fact, last year, more Americans died due to an overdose than ever before. People are suffering, opioid deaths are increasing at an alarming rate, and Americans continue to face barriers to care. Passing this legislation is an important step in tackling these health crises head on and providing Americans with the mental health care they desperately need and deserve. 

“The mental health and substance use disorder crises have touched every community and devastated countless families. New Dems know that tackling these crises head on is a life-or-death matter, and that’s why we helped lead the House in developing and advancing thoughtful legislative solutions to help Americans get the care they need,” said NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “This progress and the House-passage of 10 New Dem-endorsed bills would not be possible without the tireless work of New Dem Reps. Annie Kuster and David Trone, the co-chairs of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. We will continue working with our colleagues in the Senate to get this lifesaving legislation to the President’s desk as quickly as possible.” 

The mental health package that passed the House today includes ten of the NDC-endorsed bills to address mental health and substance use disorders: 

  • H.R.7076 – Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act, Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08)
  • H.R. 2376 – Excellence in Recovery Housing Act, Rep. David Trone (MD-06)
  • H.R.5218– Collaborate in an Orderly and Cohesive Manner Act, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) 
  • H.R. 6279 – Opioid Treatment Access Act, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01)
  • H.R. 7232  – 9–8–8 and Parity Assistance Act, Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) 
  • H.R.1385 – Behavioral Health Coordination and Communication Act, Rep. David Trone (MD-06) 
  • H.R. 1384 – Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20)  
  • H.R. 2067 – Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03)  
  • H.R. 2929 – Virtual Peer Support Act, Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03)
  • H.R. 5950 – Improving Patient Access to Care and Treatment (IMPACT) Act, Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04)
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