End Substance Use Disorder Calls for Bolder, More Comprehensive Action After U.S. House Passage of Behavioral Health Bills

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed 13 bills to provide some support for people and families who are struggling with substance use disorder, behavioral health conditions, and suicide. End Substance Use Disorder president Erin Schanning issued this statement on the bills:

"These bills demonstrate that lawmakers agree on the need to act to prevent suicides and overdoses and to support families that are struggling to help their loved ones. We applaud lawmakers for prioritizing health equity and for improving access to behavioral health services for communities of color.

“The bills that the U.S. House passed today, however, fall short of the bold and comprehensive solutions needed to end the deaths and the anguish experienced by millions across the country. While we recognize lawmakers for increasing funding for evidence-based initiatives to prevent and treat behavioral health conditions, including suicide and substance use disorder, the funding passed today is not large enough to meet the significant need for services across the country. In addition, the grants passed today last only a few years and so will not support the creation of a protective infrastructure that can last a generation to end overdoses, suicide, and suffering.

“What we need are comprehensive solutions, rooted in evidence and equity, that remove discriminatory barriers to treatment and that provide long-term sustainable funding for critical support and services. We are looking to Congress and President Biden to take bold action to save lives and to promote our nation’s wellbeing. The bills passed today recognize the problems of mental anguish and substance use disorder that are plaguing our nation, but we expect more from our leaders in delivering proven, comprehensive solutions during this time of hardship and crisis.”