House introduces bipartisan bill to support implementation of national 988 suicide lifeline
Author
Blaire Bryant
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
On March 17, Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan 988 Implementation Act (H.R. 7116), which seeks to provide support for states and counties in building local crisis response infrastructure ahead of the launch of the three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) in July 2022.
H.R. 7116 would support the full continuum of local crisis response efforts including call centers, mobile crisis teams and crisis centers, all of which would connect residents in crisis with trained first responders and mental health professionals, evidence-based services, and well-resourced crisis facilities.
If enacted, the bill would do the following:
- Permanent authorization of the $2.24 billion Mental Health Block Grant, which includes a 10 percent set aside for crisis services
- Provide an additional $441 million for over 250 regional and local lifeline call centers across the country
- Expand eligibility for capital development grants under the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA)
- Expand Federal Medicaid Financing (FMAP) for regional/local 988 call center operations, mobile crisis teams and crisis centers
- Clarify language on Medicaid Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) payment prohibitions for crisis stabilization services run by community-based programs
- Expand eligibility for the certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid demonstrations
For further details on all the provisions included in H.R. 7116, please view the fact sheet and section by section here.
As primary administrators of behavioral health services, counties support federal legislation that ensures that all people have access to comprehensive crisis care services that direct them to appropriate treatment options.
NACo will continue to work with Congress to advance this and other legislation that assists in building county crisis response efforts.
Additional Resources
Resource
Fund Local Crisis Response Efforts
Related News
HALT Fentanyl Act signed into law
On July 16, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) (P.L. 119-26) was signed into law, marking a major turning point in the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. The bipartisan legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, granting law enforcement the authority to combat the growing threat posed by synthetic opioids. The law’s enactment follows years of temporary extensions that placed these substances under federal control on a provisional basis.
Public-private partnership creates ‘one-stop shop’ to improve community wellness
The South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center is a “one-stop shop” the city and the children’s hospital created to improve community wellness and make it easier for people to get their needs met.