Bill > HR4435

This bill, the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Reform and Recovery Act of 2016, aims to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services by strengthening programs, coordinating interagency efforts, clarifying communication between individuals, families, and providers, improving Medicaid and Medicare mental health services, and bolstering the behavioral health workforce. Key provisions include establishing an Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advocate for and coordinate federal efforts, creating a Chief Medical Office within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and mandating an independent audit of SAMHSA's operations. The bill also proposes to establish a Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality to improve data collection and analysis, award innovation and demonstration grants for evidence-based programs, and fund early intervention and treatment for children, as well as programs for adult suicide prevention and trauma recovery. Furthermore, it seeks to reauthorize the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act for youth suicide prevention, support the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and improve mental health services on college campuses. The legislation also includes provisions to enhance Medicaid coverage for mental health services, eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services under Medicare, and modify Medicare discharge planning requirements. To strengthen the workforce, the bill proposes a nationwide workforce strategy, supports peer professional development, and expands the National Health Service Corps program to include occupational therapists. It also aims to improve behavioral health information technology and strengthen mental health parity by requiring more detailed disclosure and enforcement of mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Finally, the bill addresses substance abuse by reauthorizing programs for pregnant and postpartum women, establishing pilot programs for state substance abuse agencies, and funding initiatives to reduce drug overdose deaths, including co-prescribing opioid overdose reversal drugs and building surveillance capacity.