Bill Overview
Title: Greater Mental Health Access Act
Description: This bill establishes a special enrollment period for family members of individuals who died by suicide to enroll in, or change enrollment under, a health insurance plan. The bill also requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to use funds from the Prevention and Public Health Fund to award grants to medical providers and others to provide outpatient mental health services for individuals impacted by the attempted or completed suicide of a friend or family member.
Sponsors: Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by suicide of a family member or close friend
Estimated Size: 12000000
- The bill primarily targets family members of individuals who died by suicide.
- The special enrollment period suggests the bill affects those who need to change or enroll in health insurance plans, potentially due to the financial or mental health impact of a family member's death by suicide.
- The focus on outpatient mental health services extends the impact to individuals who are processing the attempted or completed suicide of friends or family members, broadening the impacted population beyond just family to include close friends.
- Globally, statistics show that suicide impacts millions, both directly in terms of death and indirectly via affected friends and family—making this a substantial population.
Reasoning
- Approximately 12 million Americans are estimated to be affected by the suicide of a family member or close friend annually, a substantial number compared to global estimates. This indicates a significant target population for the policy but also suggests that careful allocation of funds is crucial due to the $4.015 billion budget limitation over ten years.
- We anticipate a diversity in response based on socio-economic factors, personal resilience, existing mental health conditions, insurance status, and geographical disparities in healthcare access.
- While those directly impacted by suicide may experience the most significant improvement in wellbeing through targeted mental health support, the overall impact on the broader population may manifest as increased awareness and destigmatization.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increased access to mental health services would help my entire family process our grief.
- The special enrollment period can ease the financial strain we faced due to my daughter's passing.
- I hope it can break the stigma around mental health discussions.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Software Developer (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide better mental health services for me and my family.
- It might reduce the stigma of reaching out for help for men like myself.
- Having a special period for changing plans is crucial as I once faced difficulties in the process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Registered Nurse (Miami, FL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe increased mental health access would have a positive ripple effect.
- Grants to providers will allow more community outreach and sustained care.
- Not directly affected by insurance changes due to good coverage.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might give students like me better access to mental health resources we desperately need.
- Addressing mental health in the educational context is vital.
- Knowing friends and roomies have additional support is reassuring.
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 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Bartender (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having access to better outpatient services would make a huge difference to me.
- Changing insurance plans has always been a hassle without proper support.
- I hope it makes mental health resources more approachable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Retired (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hopeful that younger generations will have greater mental health support.
- While Medicare covers my needs, the added services are reassuring.
- Grants could promote more community awareness and destigmatization.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Freelance Journalist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finding mental health resources easier would be a relief for freelancers like me.
- Insurance stability is a constant challenge, so a special enrollment is attractive.
- Reconnection with mental health services could improve my long-term wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Project Manager (Denver, CO)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 19/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Targeted grants seem like they could enhance service availability.
- Personally, I wouldn't need policy change, but community impact would matter.
- Any advancements that lessen stigma can only be beneficial.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Truck Driver (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The added mental health services could directly benefit people like me.
- Navigating insurance is tricky when you're often on the road.
- Anything helping destigmatize seeking mental health assistance matters.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
College Professor (Boston, MA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies that enforce mental health access will set important precedents in academia.
- The special enrollment clause might not affect me directly, but it's crucial for others.
- Normalizing mental health conversations in educational settings can make huge differences.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $350000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $500000000)
Year 2: $360000000 (Low: $210000000, High: $510000000)
Year 3: $370000000 (Low: $220000000, High: $520000000)
Year 5: $400000000 (Low: $240000000, High: $540000000)
Year 10: $450000000 (Low: $270000000, High: $570000000)
Year 100: $450000000 (Low: $270000000, High: $570000000)
Key Considerations
- The scale and demographic reach of mental health grants will determine the fundamental condition of success for the policy.
- Collaboration with existing health initiatives may reduce redundancy and increase program effectiveness.
- Accurate tracking and reporting mechanisms will be needed to ensure funds are utilized effectively and reach target populations.