End-Of-Session Negotiations Lead To Authorization of New Mental Health Initiatives

OPEN MINDS On-Line News In an effort to improve the record of legislative accomplishment for the106th session, Congress passed several mental health initiatives packaged in a voluminous bill, H.R. 4365, the "Children's Health Act of 2000." On September 22nd, the Senate passed the proposal under a "unanimous consent" procedure. Last week, the House swiftly followed the Senate’s lead and passed the measure by a 394 to 25 vote. Legislation has authorized several new mental health initiatives under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) jurisdiction, as well as sustaining existing programs. Several of . . .