Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8149
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-06T18:35:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, titled the Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on how accessible addiction and mental health care services are for farmers and ranchers facing challenges like severe drought, extreme weather, unstable commodity markets, and consumer misinformation. The goal is to identify barriers and solutions to improve care in agricultural communities.
Key Provisions
- Findings: Recognizes that farmers and ranchers face mental health risks from environmental, economic, and informational stressors.
- Required Study (led by the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the USDA):
- Assesses availability of specialized providers in rural areas for farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their families.
- Examines barriers like cost, distance, and cultural differences.
- Identifies best practices for replication, including:
- Hiring/training experts in agricultural mental health.
- Cultural competency training for providers.
- Peer-to-peer support via paraprofessionals/coaches.
- Youth mental health curricula in rural schools.
- Expanded telehealth services.
- Outreach to reduce stigma.
- Better coordination between mental health providers and farm groups.
- Research on program effectiveness.
- Provides recommendations for better access.
- Evaluates funding 6 reimbursable therapy sessions through the existing Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
- Collaboration: Involves federal agencies, state agriculture departments, mental health groups, and farm organizations.
- Reporting: USDA must submit a report to House and Senate Agriculture Committees within 180 days of enactment.
- Funding: Authorizes $1 million annually for fiscal years 2026–2029.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new, targeted study requirement; does not amend or repeal prior laws but builds on the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (from the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act) by exploring therapy funding expansions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: USDA gains responsibility for the study and reporting, with modest funding authorized; could lead to future program expansions.
- Citizens (Farmers/Ranchers): May improve mental health support in rural areas through identified best practices and reduced barriers, potentially lowering addiction and stress-related issues.
- International Relations: None directly affected.
Main Stakeholders
- Primary: Farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their families in rural areas.
- Secondary: USDA (especially National Institute of Food and Agriculture), state agriculture and mental health departments, farm organizations, and mental health providers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward mandate with clear timelines and funding; no enforcement mechanisms beyond reporting.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; falls under Congress's spending and commerce powers related to agriculture.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Reps. Neguse and Van Orden); highlights rural mental health amid climate and economic pressures, potentially influencing future farm bill priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act — issued 2026-03-27 — PDF (5 pages)