Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023

Hozzl · 2023-12-15T15:57:52Z

Explore the details of House Bill 3189 Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Health. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/15/2023, 3:57 PM

Summary of Bill HR 3189

Bill 118 hr 3189, also known as the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023, aims to address the shortage of mental health professionals in the United States and improve access to mental health services for individuals with limited English proficiency.

The bill proposes several key provisions to achieve these goals. Firstly, it seeks to increase funding for mental health workforce development programs, such as scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health professionals. This is intended to incentivize more individuals to pursue careers in mental health and address the shortage of providers in underserved communities.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to improve language access for individuals with limited English proficiency seeking mental health services. This includes funding for interpreter services and translation of mental health resources into multiple languages to ensure that all individuals can access the care they need. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of cultural competency training for mental health professionals to better serve diverse populations. This training would help providers understand the unique needs and perspectives of individuals from different cultural backgrounds, ultimately improving the quality of care delivered. Overall, the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023 aims to strengthen the mental health workforce, increase access to services for underserved populations, and promote culturally competent care. By addressing these key issues, the bill seeks to improve mental health outcomes for all individuals in the United States.

Congressional Summary of HR 3189

Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award supplemental grants to certain federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) for recruiting and retaining mental health care providers who are fluent in another language besides English.

HHS must award the grants to FQHCs that are already receiving federal assistance to support outpatient primary care for low-income individuals or other underserved populations. Additionally, HHS must give preference to FQHCs where at least 10% of the patients are best served in a language other than English.

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Current Status of Bill HR 3189

Bill HR 3189 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 10, 2023. Bill HR 3189 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on May 10, 2023. Bill HR 3189's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. as of May 12, 2023