National Council Statement on Introduction of Bipartisan Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 23, 2024) – National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia today released the following statement on introduction of the bipartisan Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act in the House of Representatives by Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.). Introduction in the House follows the Senate introduction by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) in September 2023.

“The National Council applauds the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Matsui, Bucshon, Molinaro and Craig in introducing The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, a crucial piece of legislation that would establish the infrastructure needed to achieve the long-term vision of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model of care.

“CCBHCs already have provided high-quality, lifesaving mental health and substance use treatment and care to millions of people across the nation. The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act would provide those opportunities to even more communities. It would help eliminate barriers to access among those traditionally underserved, reduce wait list times so people receive care more quickly and expand the capacity of states to address the overdose crisis.

“As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month this May, it’s important to acknowledge that CCBHCs have played an invaluable role in ensuring access to the full continuum of comprehensive mental health and substance use services. By giving more communities the option to have a CCBHC, this important bipartisan legislation would help make mental wellbeing — including recovery from substance use challenges — a reality for everyone.”