U.S. Reps. Derek Kilmer and Jaime Herrera Beutler, of Washington, and Tim Murphy, of Pennsylvania, introduced legislation this week to help people suffering from a behavioral health or substance abuse crisis.
The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Accessibility Act of 2016 would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to provide loans and loan guarantees to local entities that wish to build psychiatric and substance abuse facilities, a press release from the Herrera Beutler’s office said.
A report from the Treatment Advocacy Center said there is an average of 11.7 beds per 100,000 people nationally, between 30 to 40 short of where it should be, the release said.
Psychiatric treatment facilities, substance abuse treatment facilities and public and private psychiatric hospitals could receive funding.
