Bill Overview
Title: Cost of Mental Illness Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires a study on the direct and indirect costs associated with serious mental illness (i.e., a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in a serious, functional impairment that substantially interferes with major life activities). It also requires periodic surveillance surveys of individuals with schizophrenia. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must study health care, housing, public safety, and other costs incurred by federal, state, tribal, and local governments and nongovernmental entities to address serious mental illness. HHS must consult with the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development on the study. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must periodically conduct a surveillance survey to collect information about individuals with schizophrenia, such as their demographic characteristics and health status. SAMHSA must coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Mental Health, and other federal agencies on the survey. SAMHSA may also award grants or other assistance to nonprofits for convening stakeholder meetings and other activities to support the survey.
Sponsors: Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14]
Target Audience
Population: people living with serious mental illness
Estimated Size: 14000000
- The bill focuses on individuals with serious mental illness, defined here as mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders with serious functional impairment, like schizophrenia.
- The study will assess costs related to these individuals, affecting public interest in different sectors such as health care, housing, and public safety.
- The surveillance surveys will specifically target individuals with schizophrenia, meaning this subgroup of the mentally ill population will be directly involved.
- The impact will not be limited to those with schizophrenia but will extend to all those with serious mental illnesses through potential policy changes informed by the study.
Reasoning
- The policy is likely to have a varied impact across the population of individuals with serious mental illness, as only a subset (those with schizophrenia) will be directly assessed through surveys.
- Costs studied may lead to informed policy changes, which might improve public services for those with mental illnesses.
- The policy's impact on wellbeing is expected to be small initially but could grow over time as the data is used to influence policy.
- The limited budget restricts the extent of surveying and activities, likely affecting only a portion of the target population in the short term.
- The bill does not directly allocate resources for mental health treatment, but improved understanding might lead to future resource allocation.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Chicago, IL)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that more attention to our issues will help us get better care and support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Part-time Barista (New York City, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More studies could help identify where resources are needed most.
- I'm concerned it won't change anything for those of us without schizophrenia.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Homemaker (Rural Alabama)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this will bring more resources to rural areas lacking adequate support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It might shine a light on issues, spurring longer-term changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Freelance Artist (Austin, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased data could help improve public perception of mental illness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Awareness is good, but assistance is better.
- Concerns about funding long-term treatment options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Springfield, MA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this eventually leads to better support services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More research might help destigmatize mental illnesses in campuses.
- Wonders if funding will reach younger people.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy changes could assist employers supporting employees' mental health.
- Raises concern on practical versus research expenditure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hopes for policy changes in healthcare benefits particularly for mental health.
- Supports the idea of continuous data gathering and analysis for improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The direct costs of conducting multi-agency studies and surveys might be substantial in initial years.
- Potential savings and impacts are largely long-term and contingent on the effectiveness and implications of the policy suggestions derived from the findings.
- Administrative and grant-related expenditures will play a crucial role in the overall cost structure.
- Considerations must include multi-stakeholder coordination expenses and data management challenges.