Prioritizing mental health to the same degree as physical health to address the epidemics of suicide and drug overdose in the United States.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 671
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-02: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-23T16:04:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This resolution expresses congressional support for treating mental health conditions with the same priority as physical health conditions. It seeks to address the epidemics of suicide and drug overdose in the United States by enforcing mental health insurance parity, reducing cultural stigma, backing national prevention strategies, and expanding resources for mental health services.
Key Provisions
- Supports full enforcement of existing federal laws requiring equal insurance coverage for mental health and physical health treatment.
- Calls for efforts to reduce mental health stigmas across the United States.
- Endorses the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
- Aims to allocate resources and funds to combat suicide and drug overdose through specific actions, including:
- Promoting initiatives at federal, state, tribal, and local levels to grow and retain the mental health workforce.
- Supporting access to and coverage for medication-assisted treatment.
- Adopting evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.
- Funding services that are appropriate for language, culture, and age.
- Improving crisis care services in terms of quality, coverage, and access.
- Promoting health awareness campaigns using digital media aimed at adolescents and young adults.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This resolution does not amend or alter any existing statutes. It instead reinforces support for current federal mental health parity requirements and the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention without introducing new legal mandates.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Encourages expanded roles for agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in workforce development, data collection, and service delivery at multiple government levels.
- On citizens: May lead to improved access to mental health care, reduced barriers from stigma, and better prevention resources for individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use issues, or related risks.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified, as the focus remains entirely domestic.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders, including adults and adolescents.
- Families and communities impacted by suicide and drug overdoses.
- Mental health professionals and service providers.
- Schools and educational systems responsible for early awareness and resources.
- Health insurance plans and related regulators.
- Federal, state, tribal, and local government entities involved in health policy and funding.
Notable Implications
- Legal: Strengthens emphasis on enforcing mental health parity laws, which require equal treatment of mental and physical health conditions in insurance coverage, though it creates no new obligations.
- Constitutional: As a non-binding House resolution, it carries no force of law and serves only as an expression of congressional sentiment.
- Political: Highlights mental health as a priority issue, potentially influencing future funding decisions and policy focus without requiring legislative action.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-02: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-09-02: Submitted in House
- 2025-09-02: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Prioritizing mental health to the same degree as physical health to address the epidemics of suicide and drug overdose in the United States. — issued 2025-09-02 — PDF (5 pages)