Bill Overview
Title: Promote Work and Improve Health Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires states to describe their efforts to improve mental health and well-being through promoting work and employment as part of their plans for providing mental health services under the Community Mental Health Block Grant program.
Sponsors: Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13]
Target Audience
Population: Recipients of mental health services under the Community Mental Health Block Grant program
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill is focused on states' mental health services, specifically improving mental health through employment.
- Individuals who are receiving mental health services under the Community Mental Health Block Grant program will be directly impacted.
- Those with mental health conditions who are unemployed will be particularly affected, as the bill promotes work opportunities.
- People with mental health issues eligible for state assistance but not currently receiving services may also be indirectly impacted if states expand services.
Reasoning
- Considering the budget and the large target population, the policy's impact at the individual level may be limited in its intensity but could reach a significant number of people who are currently underserved.
- The distribution of the budget suggests the focus will be on strategic improvements rather than large financial investments per beneficiary, optimizing employment integration services with mental health support.
- Many individuals may not experience a change due to limited resources, but those who are on the margin could see improvements in their mental well-being if they obtain employment and associated benefits.
- Given the distribution of funds, we may see negligible to mild improvements in well-being scores initially (years 1-3), with potential for more significant long-term improvements as programs become more established and efficient (years 5-20).
- The policy's effectiveness will depend on efficient use of funds to integrate employment support with mental health services, which may vary by state and local implementation.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Detroit, MI)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy will help me find stable employment. I have been in and out of jobs due to my mental health, but stable work would definitely help me improve my mental well-being.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Part-time warehouse worker (Rural Alabama)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the initiative sounds good on paper, but in rural areas like where I live, job opportunities are slim. Unless the program addresses this, I don't see much change.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Graphic Designer (Austin, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am skeptical. While employment is helpful, it doesn't address the need for flexible work accommodations which is critical for people like me.
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 | 7 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the efforts to help people, but at my stage of life, employment isn't relevant. Mental health supports need to stay integrated beyond just job placement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm curious how the policy might support freelance opportunities, as traditional employment doesn't suit everyone with mental health issues.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retail Worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm at the start of my career, and finding stable work is the priority. If the policy helps with that, it will be a game changer for my mental health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Unemployed (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The job aspect is complicated for me. Supports for social and occupational therapy should be prioritized before job placement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Barista (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think any effort to integrate mental health support with work is beneficial, but there should be more focus on job skill training.
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 | 7 | 6 |
IT Specialist (Boston, MA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stable work is usually beneficial for mental well-being, but the workplace must be accommodating for it to really help. This policy seems like a step in that direction.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Work is integral to my recovery. This policy seems promising if it helps create more inclusive job environments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 2: $8200000 (Low: $6200000, High: $10200000)
Year 3: $8400000 (Low: $6400000, High: $10400000)
Year 5: $8800000 (Low: $6800000, High: $10800000)
Year 10: $9500000 (Low: $7300000, High: $11700000)
Year 100: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Key Considerations
- The capability of state systems to integrate employment services into mental health support efficiently.
- The success of pilot programs, if any, to establish a model for nationwide implementation.
- The degree of collaboration between mental health agencies and employment services could greatly influence effectiveness and cost.
- The actual take-up rate of employment services by mental health recipients, which could affect cost efficiency.
- The readiness of local job markets to absorb the increased labor supply.