President Biden to Highlight Mental Health in the State of the Union
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of his 2023 State of the Union, President Biden announced that he will address tackling our nation’s mental health crisis in his speech. The President will highlight successful current initiatives and discuss plans that will make a difference in the lives of people seeking mental health care across the country.
“I am very much looking forward to hearing the President outline how he plans continue working to address mental health crisis response and treatment during his State of the Union,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “I am glad that mental health remains a major priority for the President. Since his last address to Congress, we’ve accomplished so much for the American people — from launching the 988 Lifeline to expanding access to mental health care. I’m proud to have led many of those initiatives and am excited to continue our united mission addressing the mental health crisis this Congress.”
| Mental Health Care Priorities | |
| Accomplishments of the Biden Administration | Accomplishments of Congressman Tony Cárdenas |
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Over the last year, the Administration also took critical action to help reduce veteran suicide, including transitioning the Veterans Crisis Line to “988, press 1.” |
Congressman Cárdenas’ 988 Implementation Act includes funding that would benefit the Veterans Crisis Line. |
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The Administration oversaw the successful transition to 988, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, investing over $500 million to strengthen 988 infrastructure. |
Congressman Cárdenas has secured hundreds of millions in funding for the 988 Lifeline that support and expand services, including funding to provide Lifeline services in Spanish. |
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Over the last year, the Administration invested critical resources to provide mental health and substance use supports to Americans, including by expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. |
Congressman Cárdenas and Congresswoman Matsui secured $385 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics during the 117th Congress. |
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President Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which makes unprecedented investment in youth mental health and supports school-based health services |
Congressman Cárdenas supports efforts to fund mental health services in schools through programs like Project AWARE. |
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The Department of Education (ED) will announce more than $280 million in grants to increase the number of mental health care professionals in high-need districts and strengthen the school-based mental health profession pipeline. |
Cárdenas has pushed for increased support for mental health professionals in schools. |
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This spring, the Administration will propose new rules to ensure that insurance plans are not imposing inequitable barriers to care and mental health providers are being paid by health plans on par with other health care professionals. |
Congressman Cárdenas’ Parity Implementation Assistance Act passed as a part of the omnibus during the 117th Congress. |
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In the coming year, HHS will enhance crisis services. It will improve the capacity of the 988 Lifeline by investing in an expansion of the crisis care workforce; scaling mobile crisis intervention services; and developing additional guidance on best practices in crisis response. |
These provisions are all consistent with policies in Congressman Cárdenas’ 988 Implementation Act. |
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Severe shortages in the behavioral health workforce are at the center of the mental health crisis. The Administration will strengthen system capacity by recruiting diverse candidates to the mental health profession: HHS will increase funding to recruit future mental health professionals from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and to expand the Minority Fellowship Program. |
Congressman Cárdenas’ 988 Implementation Act includes funding for the Minority Fellowship Program. |
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