Energy and Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Rep. Schrier’s Children’s Mental Health Access Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – During a Health Subcommittee hearing this week, U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) posed questions to experts on the need for her proposal, the “Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act,” a bill to reauthorize funding for programs that help address the pediatric mental health workforce shortage. Rep. Schrier’s remarks can be found here and here.

“As a pediatrician, I have seen first-hand many of the challenges my patients faced. Even before the pandemic began, children’s mental health care was already facing a shortage of school counselors and health professionals, leaving kids with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and more without the specialists they need,” said Rep. Schrier. “One of the Washington State programs partially funded by this bill, the Partnership Access Line, is a tool I turned to when I needed quick advice from an on-call psychiatrist. One on-call psychiatrist can advise hundreds of pediatricians.”

During the hearing, Congresswoman Schrier asked Health Resources Services Administrator Carole Johnson how funding for the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access helps patients in rural and underserved areas. Administrator Johnson responded that the program provides the appropriate guidance and consultation necessary to equip pediatricians, especially in places with a shortage of specialized providers, with training to approach complex pediatric cases. Congresswoman Schrier asked the president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Sandy Chung about patient outcomes related to the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access program. Dr. Chung confirmed that there are increased screenings and lower emergency room visits when pediatricians can treat their patients for a behavioral health condition.

This bipartisan bill reauthorizes funds to two crucial programs for children’s mental health. The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access grant gives pediatricians the tools they need to help patients in routine visits. The Early Childhood Mental Health Promotion, Intervention, and Treatment grant focuses on early intervention for children who have experienced trauma or are at high risk for mental health challenges. This bill comes at the same time a JAMA Study found significant increases in childhood mental health diagnoses. Additional details of the bill can be found here.

The Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act is endorsed by 47 organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and ZERO TO THREE.