This bill aims to help people with mental health and substance use issues by providing grants to healthcare providers to upgrade their technology and better coordinate services. It would allow doctors, counselors, and social workers to more easily share information and work together to screen, treat, and support those dealing with these challenges.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill aims to help people with mental health and substance use issues by providing grants to healthcare providers to upgrade their technology and better coordinate services. It would allow doctors, counselors, and social workers to more easily share information and work together to screen, treat, and support those dealing with these challenges.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act</strong></p><p>This bill establishes a grant program to support behavioral health integration for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.</p><p>Specifically, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology must award grants to behavioral health care providers, including physicians, psychologists, and social workers, to support integration and coordination of services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Authorized activities include purchasing or upgrading technology to meet specified federal certification standards for health information technology and to support integrated services with respect to screenings, treatment, and recovery.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Establishes a grant program to support behavioral health integration and coordination of services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders
Allows healthcare providers to use the grants to purchase or upgrade technology to meet federal standards and support integrated services
Covers activities like screening, treatment, and recovery for people with mental health and substance use issues
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would affect people with mental health and substance use disorders by making it easier for their healthcare providers to communicate and work together to support them. It could lead to more seamless and effective care, as well as improved access to necessary services and resources.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Health
Related Subjects
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Mental health
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
5116, 119th Congress (2025). "Empower Parents to Protect their Kids Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5116
