Bill Overview
Title: Into the Light for MMH and SUD Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 a program that addresses maternal depression and, among other changes, expands its scope to include mental health and substance use disorders. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a national hotline to provide mental health and substance use disorder resources to pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
Sponsors: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals affected by maternal mental health and substance use disorders
Estimated Size: 4000000
- The bill addresses maternal mental health, which primarily affects pregnant and postpartum women.
- It includes mental health and substance use disorders, implying that it impacts those with these health issues.
- The program reauthorization means it intends to continue existing support, thus impacting current and future individuals seeking help.
- Expanding the scope to include more general mental health and substance use issues broadens the affected population beyond maternal depression alone.
- The creation of a national hotline aims to improve access to resources, indirectly benefiting families and communities, though the direct impact is on users of these services.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets maternal mental health and substance use disorders, focusing on pregnant and postpartum women mainly through educational support and a hotline service.
- Considering the population affected includes a significant portion of women undergoing childbirth annually, the policy will have a medium to high impact initially among this group.
- Budget restrictions imply that while the program is expansive in its goals, initial direct impacts will be moderate due to financial limitations.
- Broadening the policy to general mental health and substance use disorders potentially increases its impact, but results are contingent on government execution and public awareness.
- The hotline can indirectly enhance community support structures and resource accessibility, influencing the wellbeing of families beyond the immediate beneficiaries.
Simulated Interviews
nurse (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is crucial, especially for someone like me who has experienced postpartum depression.
- Having more resources and a hotline can make early intervention a lot easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
teacher (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great to see more support for mental health during pregnancy, it's a stressful period.
- A hotline can provide assurance that help is accessible anytime.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Substance use recovery requires ongoing support, and this act seems to provide it.
- A national resource hotline could be vital during moments of crisis.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
mental health counselor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this strengthen our ability to help women who need mental health support.
- Expanded resources mean that as a counselor, I can refer clients to more reliable support networks.
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 | 9 | 7 |
stay-at-home father (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this change can support fathers like me to better aid our partners after childbirth.
- Indirect benefits through better spouse well-being mean a better family environment.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
artist (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although this policy doesn't directly affect me right now, I'm glad mental health isn't overlooked.
- I might benefit indirectly through better societal understanding and resources.
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 |
software engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Accessing support for partners should be easier with this policy in place.
- Enhanced resources might lighten the responsibility shared by families.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
cashier (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a dedicated hotline and mental health focus is reassuring for low-income individuals like me.
- Hopefully, it will be accessible without too much bureaucracy.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
business owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative could help maintain recovery by providing consistent mental health resources.
- It's encouraging to see support outside of traditional medical systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
retired (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for mental health in new mothers will ultimately make family life smoother for everyone involved.
- Hope the policy extends to resources that grandparents might consult.
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 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $82000000 (Low: $71000000, High: $93000000)
Year 3: $84000000 (Low: $72000000, High: $96000000)
Year 5: $88000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $101000000)
Year 10: $95000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $107000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill could lead to significant improvements in maternal and family health, reducing medical and personal costs.
- Funding must account for broad geographical service provision, particularly in underserved areas.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of the hotline requires metrics for mental health outcomes.
- Partnership with local health departments will be necessary for comprehensive reach.