NASW Provides Input to Inform Forthcoming Mental Health Packages in the U.S. House and Senate
Both the U.S. House and Senate are developing comprehensive mental health legislation, partly because of COVID-19’s resulting spotlight on mental health. NASW has long worked to educate policymakers about the importance of mental health care for individuals, families, and communities. Recently,
- NASW submitted comments to Sens. Bennet (D-CO) and Cornyn (R-TX) in response to their call for comments to Reimagine America’s Mental and Behavioral Health Care Systems.
- NASW submitted comments to the Senate Finance Committee in response to their solicitation led by Sens. Wyden (D-OR) and Crapo (R-ID) for policy proposals to address unmet mental health needs.
- NASW submitted comments to Sens. Murphy (D-CT) and Cassidy (R-LA) in response to their request for input on federal mental health and substance use disorder programs.
The U.S. House’s Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force has developed a
Legislative Agenda for the 117th Congress. Co-chaired by Reps. Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), David Trone (D-MD-06), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA-03), the task force covers a myriad of legislative priorities. NASW is working to get the
Improving Access to Mental Health Act (
S. 870/
H.R. 2035) included.
What Can You Do? This is a critical moment and NASW remains actively involved in shaping public policy for mental health and substance use disorders.
But lawmakers must hear from social workers in their states/districts, too, about the urgent need for access to mental health and behavioral health services.
Write to your congressional lawmakers and ask them to support the
Improving Access to Mental Health Act by cosponsoring and including it in a forthcoming mental health package, in addition to other priorities outlined in NASW's comments above.