An overview of two mental health bills introduced to Congress:
Lower Health Care Costs Act, introduced in 2019 by Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.:
1. Proposes that certain emergency and related nonemergency services provided out of network be billed the same in-network rate
2. Would make insurance company approval of generic and other similar medications faster for patients
3. Would require healthcare facilities and providers to provide a list of services to patients when discharged and to bill for those services within 45 days
4. Would limit the price pharmacy benefit managers can charge health insurers or enrolled patients for prescription drugs
5. Would create grant programs to support vaccination programs and updated data collecting and recording methods
6. Would require insurers to make information, including out-of-pocket-costs, available to enrolled patients via mobile and web applications
7. Proposes raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21
RISE (Resilience Investment Support and Expansion) from Trauma Act, introduced in 2019 by Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill.:
1.Would create and expand programs to coordinate and support services for infants, children, youth and families who have experienced or may experience trauma
2. Would create clinical and early childhood workforce development programs, training and support programs and toolkits for front-line service providers
3. Would provides grants to support and prevent childhood exposure to substance abuse and violence and establishes the National Law Enforcement Child and Youth Trauma Coordinating Center to help the juvenile justice system