Emmer, Torres Lead Effort to Expand Access to Mental Health Services

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) introduced the Securing Facilities for Mental Health Services Act. The bill is co-led by Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15).

Under current law, inpatient psychiatric hospitals are prohibited from accessing mortgage assistance through the Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 242 program. This legislation would eliminate the prohibition in Section 242 of the National Housing Act, therefore allowing inpatient psychiatric hospitals to access the mortgage assistance program. Passing this legislation will alleviate the inpatient bed shortage across the country and encourage the expansion of psychiatric inpatient hospitals.

"Almost 80% of Minnesota counties have a health care shortage," Emmer said. "Whether you're a patient in Minnesota or New York, those in need should not be denied care due to outdated laws. This is a commonsense, nonpartisan bill that will eliminate barriers to mental health resources to those who need it most."

"Access to quality and affordable mental health services is personal to me," Torres said. "As someone who has struggled with their own mental health at various points in my life, I know how painful and insurmountable those feelings can be. It is our duty as public servants to address shortfalls in the system, and that is what Congressman Emmer and I are doing with this critical bill."

This bill is endorsed by the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Minnesota Hospital Association.

"As hospitals and health systems in Minnesota continue to face significant financial and workforce challenges, it is increasingly difficult to keep up with patient demand for critical mental health care services. In an effort to increase access to care, the Minnesota Hospital Association supports the Securing Facilities for Mental Health Services Act, a bill to help inpatient psychiatric hospitals access federal mortgage assistance. More support for mental health services across the continuum of care will lead to better health outcomes for the patients we serve," said the Minnesota Hospital Association.

Background

The number of patients in state psychiatric hospitals declined from 370,000 to just 40,000 between 1970 and 2014. A 2021 study published by the National Institutes of Health reports that the United States has 21 psychiatric beds per every 100,000 individuals, approximately 40% lower than the estimated number of beds needed. With this shortage of accessible mental health care facilities, patients in need of mental health care disproportionately end up in homeless shelters, jails, or hospital emergency departments.

HUD's Mortgage Insurance Program has a patient-day requirement for qualifying hospitals to provide acute care services to more than 50% of patients. Because inpatient psychiatric hospitals treat patients over extended periods of time, they do not qualify and are currently excluded from the program.

The Securing Facilities for Mental Health Services Act was first introduced by Emmer and Torres in June 2022 and again in January 2024.

Text of the Securing Facilities for Mental Health Services is available here.

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