The Senate bill seeks to improve coordination of mental health programs by granting new powers to an assistant secretary, sets up a new office to encourage the adoption of evidence-based programs, and authorizes grants for topics like integrating physical and mental health services, though the amount of the funding will depend on the appropriations process. It also seeks to push insurance companies to provide better mental health coverage through what is known as “parity.”
Some advocates have criticized the bill for being far too narrow, particularly in the area of helping people with serious mental illness.
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