Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023

Hozzl · 2024-02-05T20:15:34Z

Explore the details of House Bill 3817 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.

2/5/2024, 8:15 PM

Summary of Bill HR 3817

Bill 118 hr 3817, 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 requirements for mental health facilities to provide interpretation and translation services, as well as training for mental health professionals on how to effectively communicate with patients who speak languages other than English. Furthermore, the bill calls for the establishment of a national mental health workforce data collection system to better understand the current state of the mental health workforce and identify areas in need of improvement. This data will be used to inform future workforce development initiatives and ensure that mental health services are accessible to all individuals in need. Overall, the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023 aims to address the shortage of mental health professionals and improve access to mental health services for individuals with limited English proficiency. By increasing funding for workforce development programs, improving language access, and establishing a national data collection system, the bill seeks to ensure that all individuals have access to the mental health care they need.

Congressional Summary of HR 3817

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 3817

Bill HR 3817 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since June 5, 2023. Bill HR 3817 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on June 5, 2023. Bill HR 3817's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. as of June 9, 2023