H.R.2085 - Mental Health Research Accelerator Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2085, the Mental Health Research Accelerator Act of 2025, proposes a tax credit for expenses related to translational research on neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric conditions. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to introduce a new tax credit, capped annually, and allocated by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with health agencies. It also allows tax-exempt entities to transfer the credit to eligible project partners.
Expected Effects
The likely effect is increased investment in mental health and neurodegenerative disease research due to the financial incentive provided by the tax credit. This could lead to faster development of new treatments and therapies. The bill also incentivizes public-private partnerships and the sharing of intellectual property.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Research Funding: The tax credit will likely stimulate more investment in translational research for mental health and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Faster Development of Treatments: By incentivizing research, the bill could accelerate the development of new therapies and devices.
- Public-Private Partnerships: The bill prioritizes collaborative efforts and sharing of intellectual property, fostering innovation.
- Focus on Central Nervous System Disorders: The bill specifically targets research on new therapeutics and devices for central nervous system disorders.
- Repurposing Existing Drugs: The bill encourages the repurposing of existing drugs and devices for new purposes, potentially leading to quicker and cheaper solutions.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Funding: The credit is subject to annual limitations, which may restrict the overall impact.
- Bureaucratic Process: The allocation process by the Secretary of the Treasury could be slow or inefficient.
- Potential for Abuse: There is a risk that the tax credit could be exploited, leading to wasteful spending.
- Complexity: The rules for transferring credits from tax-exempt entities to project partners add complexity.
- Sunset Provision: The credit is only available for taxable years before 2036, limiting its long-term impact.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote public health through incentivizing medical research. Specifically, the preamble states the Constitution is intended to "promote the general Welfare". Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes to "provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States."
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).