Two bipartisan mental health bills authored by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) received approval following a Sept. 9 markup by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2019, H.R. 1109, and the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019, H.R. 945, now head to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
“As co-chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, I’ve worked with Democrats and Republicans to increase access to quality mental healthcare, reduce the stigma associated with seeking treatment, and combat the rising rates of suicide,” Rep. Katko said on Sept. 10. “Today, I’m pleased to report the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has approved both of these measures.”
H.R. 1109 would fund on-site mental health services for students, while H.R. 945 would increase the number of mental health providers within Medicare, said Rep. Katko, who is also the lead original cosponsor on both bills.
“Statistics on mental health during the ongoing pandemic have been heartbreaking and underscore the need for congressional action,” Rep. Katko added, citing a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that found 43 percent of seniors experienced loneliness, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 25 percent of young adults have contemplated suicide during this time.
Rep. Katko in February 2019 introduced H.R. 1109 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA). The measure has the support of 132 other cosponsors. The congressman in January 2019 introduced H.R. 945 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA). The bill has 119 other cosponsors.
“To provide immediate support, I urge congressional leaders to swiftly bring my bipartisan legislation to the House floor,” the congressman said last week. “Together, these bills will take meaningful steps to improve access to mental healthcare for children and seniors, at a time when these services are needed most.”