Bill Overview
Title: Minority Fellowship Program Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 the Minority Fellowship Program carried out by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The program supports the education and training of minority students who are studying for advanced degrees in a mental or behavioral health profession.
Sponsors: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: Minority students in advanced mental or behavioral health programs
Estimated Size: 15000
- The Minority Fellowship Program supports minority students in advanced mental or behavioral health education.
- The program aims to improve mental health services in minority communities by increasing the number of minority professionals.
- This reauthorization through FY2027 ensures continued support for these students, impacting educational and career opportunities.
- Supporting minority students in mental and behavioral health professions can lead to better mental health outcomes in diverse communities.
Reasoning
- The Minority Fellowship Program aims to support minority students seeking advanced degrees in mental or behavioral health fields, which could in turn improve mental health services in minority communities.
- The program may have a substantial impact on minority students who are currently enrolled or planning to enroll in relevant programs, increasing their wellbeing and career opportunities.
- Not all individuals in minority communities or in the field of mental health will be affected; primarily it would be those eligible who are pursuing advanced education.
- Given the budget, the program will support a small fraction of the total minority students in the field, suggesting the impact on the broader population might be limited.
Simulated Interviews
Graduate student in clinical psychology (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program could significantly reduce my student debt, allowing me more freedom in career choices without financial stress.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Licensed counselor (Houston, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the potential for more skilled professionals entering the field, which could relieve some burdens on our services.
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 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Social work student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any support helps, especially for balancing school and family life. This could be a lifeline for people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Psychiatrist (New York, NY)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support it but it won't directly affect me; it might create more equitable access to care over time.
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 |
Therapist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Greater diversity among professionals could improve mental health outcomes for our clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
University professor (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased funding is great news for my students, but it's more relevant to their experience than mine.
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 |
Psychology PhD candidate (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I can better focus on my studies without worrying about funding my education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Public health advocate (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a part of broader efforts to address health disparities, but it alone won't fix systemic issues.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Graduate student in behavioral health (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This continued support means I can pursue research projects I am passionate about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Healthcare administrator (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased funding could translate into more trained professionals, though actual service improvements might take time.
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 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $11500000 (Low: $10000000, High: $12500000)
Year 2: $11500000 (Low: $10000000, High: $12500000)
Year 3: $11500000 (Low: $10000000, High: $12500000)
Year 5: $11500000 (Low: $10000000, High: $12500000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The impact on minority communities can extend beyond economic metrics, affecting social cohesion and community well-being.
- The continuance of funding relies on annual appropriations reviews beyond FY2027, possibly altering future projections.