U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) recently introduced bipartisan legislation that aims to address the mental health care crisis facing American children by reauthorizing federal funds for children’s mental and behavioral health programs.
“Over the last two years, schools across the country closed their doors and moved to virtual learning. The serious negative impact these closures had on our students is well-documented and must be treated seriously,” Rep. Miller-Meeks said. “As a physician, I know that care for mental health is important for every American, especially for those who are still developing.”
Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022, H.R. 7076, which Rep. Miller-Meeks cosponsored on March 15 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), would authorize funds for the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access grant, and the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Promotion, Intervention, and Treatment grant, according to the text of the bill.
The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access grant, which ensures that children’s mental health issues are found during routine appointments, would receive $14 million for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025; and then $30 million for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2027, the bill text says.
“Reauthorizing the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access grant program is an important step in ensuring that our students have equal access to quality mental health care,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks.
Additionally, the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Promotion, Intervention, and Treatment grant, which focuses on early intervention for children who have experienced trauma or are at high risk for mental health challenges, would receive $50 million for the period of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 — a significant increase over the $20 million the grant program received for the period of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
H.R. 7076 has garnered support from the American Academy of Pediatrics and has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.