Foster Votes to Bolster Mental Health and Substance Use Care

Washington, D.C. – Last night, Congressman Foster (D-IL) voted for a bipartisan legislative package that would strengthen access to care for those grappling with mental illness and substance use disorders. The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act will strengthen and expand more than 30 federal programs to address widespread shortages in mental health professionals and other barriers to care. 

"I proudly voted to expand access to critical mental health and substance use services for people in Illinois," said Foster. "In the wake of more than two years marked by hardship and isolation, Congress has a responsibility to provide the resources needed to access life-saving health care – and that includes mental health care. This legislation would remove barriers to evidence-based care like medically assisted treatments, strengthen health services across Illinois, and invest in our mental health workforce."

A majority of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime, and suicide remains the second leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 10 and 34.  Additionally, more than 2 million Americans suffer from an opioid use disorder, and nearly 108,000 Americans died due to a drug overdose last year.  Despite this urgent need for care, approximately 122 million Americans live in areas experiencing a shortage of qualified mental health professionals.  Even among individuals with health insurance, coverage limitations and financial barriers continue to increase cost and delay care.

The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act takes several steps to bridge these gaps and connect Americans to urgently needed health services:

• Strengthening Crisis Resources, including suicide prevention, mental health support, substance use disorder services, recovery housing, and other services.

• Addressing America's Opioid Epidemic by easing access to life-saving treatments and strengthening training requirements for practitioners who prescribe controlled substances.

• Investing in the Behavioral Health Workforce through additional training grants and state funding.

• Supporting Young People's Mental Health by strengthening pediatric mental health care, Medicaid behavioral health services and suicide prevention resources for college students.