Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
The Cost of Mental Illness Act of 2022 sponsored by U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) aims to determine the far-reaching impact of severe mental illness across different systems in America, including health care, housing and criminal justice.
“This legislation will provide accurate and comprehensive data to facilitate the creation of comprehensive policy solutions to support the millions of Americans suffering from mental health illnesses,” Rep. Reschenthaler said on April 13.
The bipartisan H.R. 7483, which Rep. Reschenthaler introduced on April 7 with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD), would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on the direct and indirect costs of serious mental illness, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“When I served as a district judge, many of the people who came before my bench were suffering from undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders,” said Rep. Reschenthaler. “But it’s not just the criminal justice system. From our hospitals to our Main Streets, there is no doubt our country is suffering from an unprecedented mental health crisis.”
The HHS study authorized under an enacted H.R. 7483 would analyze the indirect and direct costs of serious mental illness for public and private inpatient psychiatric hospitals, hospital emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, family members and caregivers, and state, local, and federal penal systems, among other entities, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.
HHS also would be required to conduct a national surveillance study every five years to collect this information specifically for individuals living with schizophrenia, as well as information on demographics; the average age at the time of diagnosis; risk factors associated with schizophrenia; and the health status of individuals with schizophrenia, the summary says.
“It’s imperative that we equip our communities with the information they need to address the mental health crisis effectively and efficiently. It’s just common sense,” said Rep. Trone. “With this effort, we can work together to develop data-driven, evidence-based solutions to help our providers on the front lines and, ultimately, put folks suffering from mental health disorders on the road to recovery.”
The legislation has been endorsed by numerous organizations and groups, including the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Association for Addiction Professionals, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, and the American Art Therapy Association, among many others.