Bill Overview
Title: Improving Access to Tele-Behavioral Health Services Act
Description: This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants for community-based mental health services, substance-use disorder services, and peer support services, with a particular focus on services provided virtually. Eligible grantees include health departments, law enforcement or first responder agencies, behavioral health programs, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education.
Sponsors: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in need of mental health services
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill focuses on providing mental health services that are offered virtually, which means individuals with mental health or substance-use disorders who may prefer or require tele-health will be impacted.
- Virtual service provision can affect populations in rural or underserved areas who have limited access to physical mental health facilities.
- The inclusion of law enforcement and first responder agencies as eligible grantees indicates the bill could impact individuals who encounter mental health crises that involve these services.
- Given the involvement of institutions of higher education, students dealing with mental health or substance-use issues may also be beneficiaries.
Reasoning
- The budget constraints of the policy mean it cannot provide extensive services, so impact will be limited to specific populations like rural areas and students.
- The grant eligibility criteria focus influence which populations might be served immediately, including those already engaged with law enforcement, health departments, or higher education institutions.
- Understanding the prevalence of mental health and substance-use disorders, this policy will have more influence over individuals with such needs, while direct impact on the general population remains limited.
- Tele-health reduces access barriers, particularly for underserved areas that have poor access to in-person services.
Simulated Interviews
farm owner (rural Kansas)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard to find mental health resources around here, so any virtual options would be a blessing.
- I'm stressed about my mental health every winter, and I have nowhere local to turn to.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
software developer (downtown Chicago)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's good to have more mental health support, but I personally don't need virtual services.
- I appreciate the focus on virtual services, but I haven't needed them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
nurse (Houston, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could help ease some strain on our hospital resources by allowing us to refer patients to virtual services.
- Better access to resources helps both patients and healthcare providers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
college student (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Virtual services could fit into my schedule better than in-person therapy.
- It would be nice to have more flexible options when I need support even after hours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
law enforcement officer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide necessary support not just for the individuals but also for law enforcement.
- Better mental health resources means less strain during crisis situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
freelance writer (remote Idaho)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have felt isolated in getting the help I need, so better virtual options would help a lot.
- Tele-health is the missing link for me in accessing consistent support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
high school student (New York City)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'd be more comfortable accessing virtual therapy from home.
- Doing therapy online could make it more private and manageable for me.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
retired (Miami, Florida)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I don't need these services myself, it's good to see options expanding for others.
- I have friends who might benefit from these new virtual services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
firefighter (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Virtual peer support services could really help some of my colleagues.
- Having more accessible resources can only be a positive for our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
graphic designer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to virtual peer support would be great to manage work stress and prevent burnout.
- Could definitely use more reliable support than just an app.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $210000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $260000000)
Year 3: $220000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $270000000)
Year 5: $230000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $280000000)
Year 10: $240000000 (Low: $190000000, High: $290000000)
Year 100: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- The infrastructure for tele-health in rural areas may require additional investments beyond those covered by this bill.
- Success necessitates effective coordination among grantees, which may pose a challenge given the diverse eligible entities.
- Long-term benefits hinge on sustained engagement and outcomes from the targeted populations.