Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · United States · House Apr 17, 2025

HR 2936: Addressing Boarding and Crowding in the Emergency Department

This bill, HR 2936 (the ABC-ED Act), aims to reduce emergency department crowding by requiring real-time tracking of hospital bed capacity and related metrics like patient wait times. It allows federal grants to modernize public health data systems that monitor emergency department boarding rates, bed availability, and ambulance offload times, with results displayed on a public dashboard (while protecting privacy). The bill also adds two new Medicare Innovation Center pilot programs: one focused on improving care for older adults (through staffing, infrastructure, and senior care coordination) and another for psychiatric crisis care (including dedicated units and faster facility transfers). Finally, it mandates a one-year study by the Government Accountability Office to evaluate best practices for these data systems and their impact on emergency department efficiency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds real-time tracking systems and Medicare pilots to reduce ED crowding, improving patient access to emergency care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2837: Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025

HR 2837 establishes an Advisory Council under the Department of Health and Human Services to improve access to existing resources for victims of gun violence. The council, composed of federal agency heads and appointed victims/support professionals, will assess needs, identify effective programs, and compile a public resource hub with contact information for medical, financial, mental health, legal, and government support services. It requires a detailed report within 180 days of enactment and a follow-up report within two years, focusing on gaps in current assistance and coordination. The bill directly affects individuals defined as victims of gun violence (including those wounded, threatened, witnessing incidents, or related to victims) and aims to connect them to existing federal, state, and nonprofit resources without authorizing new funding. The council will sunset after five years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates resource hub for mental health/medical services access, improving patient access to existing healthcare resources85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House May 8, 2025

HR 3312: SERVICE Act of 2025

The SERVICE Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to fund local veteran response teams within law enforcement agencies. These teams, composed of veteran officers and community partners, will provide 24/7 crisis response for at-risk veterans, coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and offer mental health training focused on military-related issues like PTSD. The program directly affects veterans in crisis and law enforcement agencies that receive grants to establish these teams. It requires teams to track outcomes and share best practices, with funding tied to existing crime control grants for fiscal years 2026-2030.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates federal grant program to fund veteran crisis response teams, directly increasing government spending for essential services per Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds veteran crisis response teams addressing mental health (PTSD), reducing potential justice system involvement for veterans through prevention.70% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides mental health training for veterans with PTSD and crisis response coordination with VA, directly advancing mental health services for at-risk veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates federal grants for veteran crisis response teams, coordinates with VA, and funds PTSD-focused mental health training for veterans in crisis.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Jun 5, 2025

HR 3758: Workers’ Disability Benefits Parity Act of 2025

HR 3758, the Workers’ Disability Benefits Parity Act of 2025, requires disability benefit plans (like those provided by employers or insurers) to provide equal treatment for claims related to mental health conditions or substance use disorders as they do for physical health conditions. It prohibits plans from imposing stricter limitations - such as shorter benefit durations - on mental health/substance use disorder claims compared to physical health claims. The bill also mandates that any physical health condition resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder must be considered part of the original disability. Enforcement includes civil penalties for noncompliance, with the law taking effect 18 months after enactment for most plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates equal disability benefits for mental health/substance use disorders vs physical health, preventing discriminatory limitations and advancing mental health coverage parity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires equal treatment of mental health/substance use disorder claims in disability benefits, prohibiting stricter limitations like shorter durations compared to physical health claims, directly protecting workers' rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · United States · House Apr 4, 2025

HR 2264: Service-Connected Suicide Compensation Act

This bill automatically provides dependency and indemnity compensation to survivors of veterans who died by suicide and had a service-connected mental disorder. It directly affects surviving spouses, children, and parents of these veterans. The key change requires the Veterans Affairs Secretary to pay compensation without needing additional proof that the suicide was directly linked to the mental disorder, as long as the veteran had a service-connected mental health condition. This streamlines the process for families who previously faced complex claims.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill streamlines VA compensation for veterans' suicide linked to service-connected mental disorders, directly supporting mental health care access and survivor benefits without additional proof.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAutomates compensation for suicide deaths linked to service-connected mental disorders, removing proof barriers for survivors to access benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 6383: Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act

HR 6383, the Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act, requires the Department of Defense to create a strategic plan addressing mental health and suicide prevention among military members. The plan mandates uniform protocols for members seeking mental health help on their own and standardized training for commanders, medical staff, and enlisted leaders on recognizing distress, supporting referrals, and responding appropriately. It also establishes a certification process to confirm personnel complete required training. This bill directly affects all members of the Armed Forces through improved mental health access and support, while requiring commanders and medical personnel to implement new protocols. The focus is on concrete policy changes to standardize mental health services within the military.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DOD to establish mental health protocols, training, and certification for military mental health support, directly strengthening mental health services within healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Jun 17, 2025

HR 4022: Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act

The Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act removes a Medicaid exclusion that previously blocked coverage for behavioral health services for individuals under 65 in psychiatric hospitals (also called "institutions for mental diseases"). It requires states to submit detailed plans to the federal government outlining how they will expand outpatient and community-based care for people transitioning from these facilities, including improved crisis services like mobile units and observation centers. States must also report annually on costs, patient outcomes, and the types of outpatient treatment provided after discharge, with specific requirements for coordinating care between health providers and first responders. This policy change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries under 65 in psychiatric hospitals and state Medicaid programs, aiming to shift care toward less restrictive community settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves Medicaid exclusion blocking behavioral health coverage for under-65s, mandates expanded outpatient/community care plans, directly advancing mental health services access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2025

HR 5357: College Students Continuation of Mental Health Care Act of 2025

HR 5357, the College Students Continuation of Mental Health Care Act of 2025, allows college mental health providers to offer telehealth services to enrolled or recently attending students across state lines. It directly affects college mental health providers (employed by institutions of higher education) and students registered at or who attended the college within the past three months. Key provisions require providers to verify student identity, obtain consent for telehealth, maintain backup communication methods, and respect state prohibitions on specific services while operating under their home state’s licensing rules. The bill also clarifies that malpractice insurance covers these telehealth services as if provided in the provider’s home state and permits states to form compacts to facilitate cross-state telehealth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands mental health access for college students via telehealth across state lines, directly supporting higher education by improving student well-being and educational access without restrictions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health access for students via telehealth across state lines, directly improving patient access to care under healthcare topic.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables telehealth services across state lines, expanding access to mental health care through technology for college students.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House May 29, 2025

HR 3655: STAR Plus Scholarship Act

HR 3655, the STAR Plus Scholarship Act, creates a federal scholarship program to address shortages in mental health and substance use disorder treatment workforces. It provides tuition and educational expense coverage to students enrolled in approved programs leading to careers as psychiatrists, social workers, addiction counselors, or other mental health professionals. In exchange, recipients must work full-time in designated mental health professional shortage areas or counties with high overdose death rates for one year per scholarship year. The program authorizes $75 million annually (2026-2030) and prioritizes applicants from underrepresented groups or those likely to continue serving in shortage areas after their obligation ends.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides federal tuition coverage for higher education programs in mental health fields, directly funding education access for targeted professions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds mental health workforce education to address shortages, directly expanding access to mental health services per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House May 12, 2025

HR 2942: What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish clear standards for evaluating all VA suicide prevention and mental health grant or pilot programs. It mandates that these programs set measurable goals, develop detailed evaluation plans (including data collection methods and analysis), and share results with relevant stakeholders before, during, and after implementation. The VA must also conduct post-program evaluations to assess effectiveness and share "best practices" across programs. These standards apply to all existing and future VA programs focused on veteran mental health, ensuring consistent evaluation and transparency. The bill directly affects how the VA administers suicide prevention initiatives for veterans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates VA to evaluate mental health programs with measurable goals and share best practices, strengthening suicide prevention services within healthcare.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates VA to establish evaluation standards for suicide prevention/mental health programs, requiring measurable goals and sharing best practices to improve veteran healthcare effectiveness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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