The ERISA Industry Committee Supports the Bipartisan Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-being Act (H.R. 7666) 

The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) issued a letter supporting the bipartisan Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-being Act (H.R. 7666), introduced and advanced by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).  The bill would reauthorize critical programs within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Health Resources and Services Administration. 

“We appreciate your leadership in recognizing the importance of addressing our nation’s mental health and substance use disorder crises, and ensuring the continuance of programs to address American workers’ and children’s mental and behavioral health needs,” writes James Gelfand, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs at ERIC. 

Gelfand adds: “ERIC’s large employer member companies, seeing a rise in mental health and substance use disorder cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, worked quickly to expand access to mental and behavioral health services for employers and their beneficiaries.  Your legislation coincides with many of the policies proposed in our report Prioritizing Employee Mental Health: Solutions for Congress.”  

ERIC supports the legislation as it: 

  • Integrates multiple health care disciplines through collaboration to provide patients with high quality care. 
     
  • Establishes a Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office to recommend best practices and offer support for health care providers assisting patients in a mental health crisis. 
  • Researches and evaluates evidence-based programs within the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory. 
  • Evaluates data collection and public reporting on mental health and substance abuse grants and programs. 
  • Establishes a Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders. 
  • Updates policies regarding opioid treatment programs. 
  • Increases education funding for provider mental and behavioral health programs. 

“Employers support many innovative solutions in the behavioral and mental health space but need legislative changes to do more to support their workforce and families,” writes Gelfand, “We applaud you for focusing on areas of consensus, rather than pursuing partisan and unproductive proposals designed to cast blame and aspersions.”  

To read the full text of ERIC’s letter in support of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-being Act, visit its website at: https://www.eric.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/6-1-22Restoring-Hope-for-Mental-Health-and-Well-being-Act-FINAL.pdf 

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All media inquiries to The ERISA Industry Committee should be directed to media@eric.org.

About The ERISA Industry Committee
ERIC is a national advocacy organization that exclusively represents large employers that provide health, retirement, paid leave, and other benefits to their nationwide workforces. With member companies that are leaders in every sector of the economy, ERIC advocates on the federal, state, and local levels for policies that promote flexibility and uniformity in the administration of their employee benefit plans.