Psychiatric health care has been at the forefront of policy issues in Washington, D.C. in the wake of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as service members have returned from deployment. Further, the surge in active shooter scenarios have made the public question the quality of mental health care programs throughout the country. It has also made it apparent that psychiatric health care is desperately needed for those who respond to 911 emergencies.
This includes police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, just to name a few of the roles that respond to 911 emergencies. Because of the way the American government system works, it can be difficult for local agencies to get the funding they need when local governments already have a tight budget to begin with. Applying for federal grants is critical as it allows for them to apply for the funding they may need.
Additionally, the federal government wants to assist the local government with funding opportunities for how it will help American residents in a given area. It also allows for federal policy to be enacted on a local level of analysis.
Thus, the recent bill, H.R. 1877 will help numerous people if it is passed and approved by the President.
H.R. 1877 – The Mental Health First Aid Act of 2016
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives reviewed and voted on the [link url=”http://docs.house.gov/floor/” title=”bill”] H.R. 1877: the Mental Health First Aid Act of 2016. Originally sponsored by [link url:=”https://lynnjenkins.house.gov/biography/” title=”Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, Kansas 2nd District”], the [link url=”http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF14/20160912/105318/BILLS-1141877ih-MentalHealthFirstAid-U1.pdf” title=”legislation”] will “amend [link url=”http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF14/20160912/105318/BILLS-1141877ih-MentalHealthFirstAid-U1.pdf” title=”section 520J”] of the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants for mental health first aid training programs.”
The legislation passed in the House and has been referred to [link url=”https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1877″ title=”Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.”]
The Importance of Mental Health Care for All Citizens
In the wake of the shootings throughout the country, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, good mental healthcare is desperately needed.
While good psychiatric care is desperately needed, the expense of good mental healthcare can prevent some individuals from getting the assistance they need. Some insurance companies do not pay for psychiatric health care making it difficult for individuals to pay for it on their own without the financial assistance of their insurance companies.
Considering the state of American society, though, it is so important for those in emergency management to get the care they need – thus, the grants for this will be a wonderful addition. It is important for the federal government to offer grant programs to local governments that may get the budgeting assistance they need.
Without programs like the one mentioned in H.R. 1877, it can be difficult for local governments to provide their citizens with the assistance they need when budgets are tight to begin with. Thus, this program would do a lot to help citizens throughout the country.
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