Dear Advocates,

The Indiana General Assembly now moves to the second half of the Session. This is a critical time for the behavioral health community with several bills of importance, not the least of which is HB 1001, the state Budget Bill--which cuts $26M from the Mental Health budget.
We invite you to follow along as we navigate this year's new and exciting legislative session. If you are interested in learning more about our policy agenda, please be sure to review our Public Policy Statements HERE.

Mental Health America of Indiana advocates for effective legislation that will improve the behavioral health sector in Indiana. Below are KEY behavioral health bills heard in committee this week.
House Bills:
House Bill 1007:
STATE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND GRANT PROGRAM - Requires the state department of health (department), in consultation with the office of the secretary of family and social services, to study and prepare a plan (plan) to improve the health and behavioral health of Indiana residents. Requires the plan to be submitted to the general assembly. Requires that the department establish and maintain on the department's Internet web site a web page that indicates the performance and progress of the metrics and goals of the most significant areas identified in the plan. Establishes the prevention and addressing of health issues and challenges grant program (grant program). Establishes the prevention and addressing of health issues and challenges grant fund. Requires the department to administer the grant program. Provides requirements for grant proposals. Requires the department to give preference in awarding the grants based on specified criteria. Requires the management performance hub to develop and publish on an Internet web site a web page that tracks Indiana's metrics on the most significant areas of health and behavioral health impacting Indiana residents and demonstrate any progress made in these metrics.
Bill Held in Senate Health Committee

Senate Bills:
Senate Bill 137:
KIDS FIRST TRUST FUND BOARD - Allows the Indiana kids first trust fund board (board) to create a nonprofit subsidiary corporation to solicit and accept private funding, gifts, donations, bequests, devises, and contributions. Provides that the members of the board serve terms of four years (rather than two years under current law) and provides for the terms of the appointed members of the board to be staggered. Provides that a majority of the appointed members of the board constitutes a quorum for purposes of board meetings. Provides that an affirmative vote of the majority of the board members participating in a board meeting is required for the board to take action at the meeting. 
Senate Committee recommends passage, as amended, Yeas: 11; Nays: 0

What's Going On in Capitol Hill?

Congressional Action

On Monday, the House Budget Committee passed the $1.9 Trillion dollar relief bill, and it will now go to the House for a full vote at the end of the week. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is expected to pass on party lines and head over to the Senate, where some of the provisions may face greater scrutiny from the Senate Parliamentarian as part of the reconciliation process. Funding for the mental health and substance use community are likely to move forward, including $4B to SAMHSA and HRSA for services and workforce, respectively. This includes $1.75B for the mental health block grant and $1.75B for the substance use block grant.  

There are several health expansions in the House bill, including a state option to provide a 12-month extension for full benefits post-delivery for maternal health (sunsets after 5 years) as well as a 5% Federal Matching Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase for states that have not yet expanded Medicaid for two years. The bill provides a 7.35% increase to FMAP for home and community-based services, including mental health rehabilitation services, for one year. It also extends Medicaid eligibility to 30 days prior to release from incarceration and increases the FMAP to 85% for mobile crisis services (both of these provisions sunset after 5 years). In addition to Medicaid, the bill provides additional subsidies for exchange plans to make those more available to low-income families. The provisions sunset relatively quickly because of budget reconciliation rules and a desire to keep the costs down.  

There are many other provisions for unemployment insurance, state and local funding, schools, vaccines, child care, housing and other needs.

This article gives a concise list of what is in the massive bill by area of need.Tell Congress to Support Mental Health Funding in the COVID-19 Relief Bill Take action today!


More than ever, we must stay in touch with you through technology, so please be sure to sign up for our IN.session Newsletter and VoterVoice Action Alerts to stay up to date on important mental health related legislation.

If you would like to review all of the bills Mental Health America of Indiana is following, click HERE for our Action Track report!