Senate Spending Bill Boosts NIH, Expands Mental Health Services

A draft Senate fiscal 2020 spending bill covering Heath and Human Services proposes an additional $3 billion for the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), another $70 million to manage the opioid epidemic, and $3.7 billion to broaden access to mental health services, reports Politico Pro . Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said the NIH allocation would mark a five-year increase of 40 percent, and include $350 million year-to-year extra for Alzheimer's research and $210.8 million more for cancer research. Also in the draft is $3.9 billion to respond to the opioid crisis, including $1.5 billion in state response grants and $200 million for community health centers that supply behavioral health services and treat substance abuse. The mental health portion of the bill includes $200 million for certified community behavioral health clinics and $103 million to increase awareness of mental health among children and to train school staff on identifying and responding to mental health issues. Earmarked as well is $311.8 million for rural health programs, $26.5 million for telehealth, and $266 million to support President Trump's effort to eliminate domestic HIV transmissions.