Will A Study Be Able To Fix The Shortcomings In America’s Mental Health System? (H.R. 826)

What is H.R. 826?

(Updated July 24, 2017)

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine (or a similar entity if they decline) to conduct a study of:

• The gaps in publicly or privately funded mental health services and treatment.

• How these gaps can increase the risk of violent acts.

Mental health treatment services for adults and children with severe and persistent mental illness would be considered in the study, along with the barriers to receiving those services that can result in high rates of untreated mental illness. The study would also consider the availability of interventions — like assisted outpatient treatment — designed to reach individuals with untreated severe mental illness.

The Secretary of HHS would be charged with ensuring that the study is completed and a report on the findings and conclusions is sent to Congress within 12 months of this legislation’s enactment. 

Argument in favor

There are serious problems in America’s mental healthcare systems, and this study could identify and eventually lead to those shortcomings being addressed.

Argument opposed

This bill wants to throw taxpayer dollars at a study that has very few guidelines and is not guaranteed to provide solid insights or tangible results.

Impact

People with mental illness that is severe and untreated, mental health treatment providers, the National Institute of Medicine, HHS, the Secretary of HHS.

Cost of H.R. 826

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth:

Untreated mental illness affects a significant number of Americans. In 2010, the National institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimated that 7.9 million people in the U.S. were suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It further estimates that 40 percent of those with schizophrenia and 51 percent of those with bipolar disorder are untreated.

The issue of untreated mental illness has tragically led to incidents of violence like the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the Washington Navy Yard shooting, among far too many others. It has been estimated that of the 20,000 total homicides in the U.S. every year, approximately 1,000 are committed by people with untreated mental illness.

Media:

Sponsoring Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) Press Release (Previous Version)

C-Span Video (Previous Bill Version)

CBS - 60 Minutes (Context)

Scientific American (Context)

Treatment Advocacy Center (Context)

Huffington Post (Context)