Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2904
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:06:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act aims to improve mental health services and outcomes for youth, with a focus on youth of color, by addressing disparities faced by racial and ethnic minority groups. It seeks to enhance research, training, outreach, and funding to reduce gaps in mental health care access, stigma, and treatment effectiveness.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program Enhancements (Section 2): Amends the Public Health Service Act to prioritize grants for primary and behavioral health care integration, giving special consideration to organizations serving high proportions of racial and ethnic minority groups. Increases authorized funding from $60 million annually for fiscal years 2023–2027 to $60 million for fiscal year 2025 and $80 million for fiscal years 2026–2031.
- Research on Disparities (Section 3): Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in consultation with relevant institutes and the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to commission a study from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (or an alternative entity like the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) on mental health research gaps in racial and ethnic minority groups. The study must cover prevalence of mental health issues, impacts of factors like community violence and structural bias (systemic unfair treatment in society), and recommendations to address gaps. A report must be submitted to Congress within 9 months of enactment. If no external entity agrees, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will conduct it.
- Training Competencies for Health Professionals (Section 4): Expands fellowships and programs under the Public Health Service Act to develop and share best practices and core competencies (essential skills and knowledge) for training in fields like social work, psychology, and counseling. Focuses on addressing mental health disparities in racial and ethnic minorities through expert committees, workshops, dissemination to training programs, and advisory boards. Extends program authorization through 2031.
- Outreach and Education Strategy (Section 5): Adds a new section to the Public Health Service Act requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a strategy, in consultation with advocacy groups, to promote mental health and reduce stigma related to mental health conditions and substance use in racial and ethnic minority groups. The strategy must be culturally and linguistically appropriate, age-specific, and include community involvement. Annual reports to Congress are required for 5 years starting 1 year after enactment, assessing outcomes. Authorizes $20 million annually for fiscal years 2026–2031.
- Additional NIH Funding (Section 6): Authorizes an extra $150 million annually for fiscal years 2026–2031 to NIH for building community relationships, supporting clinical research (studies involving patient care and treatments) on racial and ethnic health disparities in physical and mental health, and implementing NIH's youth mental health disparities framework.
- Additional Funding for Minority Health Institute (Section 7): Authorizes an extra $750 million annually for fiscal years 2026–2031 to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to support related efforts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Funding Increases and Extensions: Boosts and prolongs appropriations for mental health integration grants (from $60 million through 2027 to $80 million through 2031), health professions training (extended to 2031), and adds new funding streams totaling over $900 million annually starting in 2026 for NIH and the minority health institute.
- New Priorities and Mandates: Introduces special grant preferences for minority-serving entities, a dedicated research study on disparities, expanded training activities focused on cultural competencies, and a nationwide outreach strategy—none of which existed in prior law.
- Structural Amendments: Redesignates subsections in existing Public Health Service Act sections (e.g., 520K and 597) to insert new equity-focused provisions without altering core program structures.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases workload and funding for HHS, NIH, AHRQ, and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, requiring new studies, strategies, and grant oversight to promote equity in mental health programs.
- On Citizens: Could improve access to culturally sensitive mental health services, education, and research for racial and ethnic minority youth, potentially reducing stigma, trauma-related outcomes, and disparities in treatment. Broader communities may benefit from integrated public health approaches linking mental and physical health.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. health policy and programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups: Particularly youth, who stand to gain from targeted research, outreach, and services addressing unique barriers like cultural stigma and structural biases.
- Mental Health Providers and Educators: Professionals in social work, psychology, psychiatry, and counseling, who will receive enhanced training and resources to serve diverse populations.
- Community and Advocacy Organizations: Groups serving minorities, involved in strategy development, workshops, and grant applications.
- Government Entities: HHS, NIH, and affiliated institutes, which will manage expanded funding and reporting requirements.
- Health Professions Schools and Training Programs: Required to incorporate new best practices and competencies into curricula.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on amending the Public Health Service Act, which authorizes federal health programs; new authorizations of appropriations (budget approvals) must be funded through congressional appropriations bills, potentially facing budget constraints. Defines "racial and ethnic minority groups" consistently with existing law (e.g., section 1707(g)), ensuring alignment without creating conflicts.
- Constitutional: Supports equal protection under the law by addressing health disparities, aligning with the Constitution's promotion of general welfare (Article I, Section 8), but does not raise federalism issues as it builds on established federal health authority.
- Political: Emphasizes equity and social justice in mental health policy, potentially advancing bipartisan support for youth wellness while highlighting racial disparities, which could influence future health equity debates in Congress. No overt partisan elements, but focuses on underserved communities as a priority.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Cosponsors (37)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (9 pages)