Description:
S. 610 would establish programs to improve mental and behavioral health among health care professionals and require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report on activities funded by the bill. The bill would establish an education and awareness initiative to encourage health care workers to use services addressing mental health and substance use disorder, authorizing $10 million annually over the 2022-2024 period for that program. Based on historical spending patterns for similar activities, CBO estimates that the initiative would cost $29 million over the 2021‑2026 period; the remaining amount would be spent after 2026. The bill also would establish a program to provide grants to health care entities to establish or enhance efforts to improve mental health and resiliency among health care professionals and to entities that support training in related strategies. S. 610 would authorize $35 million annually over the 2022-2024 period for that program. Based on historical spending patterns for similar activities, CBO estimates that the grants would cost $103 million over the 2021-2026 period; the remaining amount would be spent after 2026. The bill also would require the Secretary of HHS to identify and disseminate information on evidence-based practices for improving mental health and resiliency among health care workers and to report to the Congress on the programs authorized under S. 610. Based on spending for similar activities, CBO estimates that those requirements would cost less than $500,000 over the 2021-2026 period.
