S.1056 - Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1056, the Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025, aims to establish a grant program to expand mental health and substance use services in rural, medically underserved areas, particularly for those in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants for eligible entities that provide telemental health services. The program focuses on delivering these services in patients' homes or other places of comfort.
The bill defines key terms such as 'covered populations,' 'eligible entity,' and 'home-based telemental.' It also mandates the development of metrics to measure the quality and impact of these services. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit reports to Congress on the program's effectiveness.
Finally, the bill authorizes up to $10 million annually from 2025 through 2029 to fund the program.
Expected Effects
This act, if implemented, would increase access to mental health and substance use services for individuals in rural areas and specific occupations. It would also promote the use of telemental health as a viable alternative to traditional in-person care.
It would also lead to the development of new metrics for evaluating telemental health services. This would help to ensure the quality and effectiveness of these services.
Finally, the act would likely stimulate investment in broadband infrastructure and technology to support the delivery of telemental health services.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to mental health and substance use services for underserved rural populations.
- Improved convenience and comfort for patients receiving care in their homes.
- Development of metrics to evaluate the quality and impact of telemental health services.
- Potential for cost savings compared to traditional in-person care.
- Stimulation of investment in broadband infrastructure and technology.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for technological barriers to access for some individuals.
- Concerns about data privacy and security in home-based settings.
- Challenges in ensuring the quality and consistency of care delivered remotely.
- Possible limitations in addressing complex mental health conditions through telemental health alone.
- Risk of fragmentation of care if telemental health services are not well-integrated with other healthcare providers.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8) of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to provide for the general welfare of the United States. By increasing access to mental health services, particularly in underserved areas, the bill aims to improve the well-being of the population.
There are no apparent infringements on individual liberties or rights as defined in the Bill of Rights. The program is designed to expand access to healthcare, not to restrict any constitutional freedoms.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, so the federal government must be careful not to unduly interfere with state healthcare systems.
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).