U.S. Rep Annie Kuster

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) is applauding passage of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act which provides resources to address the mental health and substance use disorder challenges faced by individuals and communities in New Hampshire and across the country. The bipartisan package included legislation introduced by Kuster – the Keeping Incarceration Discharges Streamlined for Children and Accommodating Resources in Education (KIDS CARE) Act, which would improve access to mental health services for young people in school and in the juvenile criminal justice system.

“It has never been more urgent to pass comprehensive legislation to deliver essential mental health and substance use disorder treatment and support to communities in New Hampshire and across this country,” said Rep. Kuster. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing mental health crisis in this country, in particular among our children. It’s critical that we invest in the well-being of our children and communities and this legislation is a meaningful step toward moving on from the mental and emotional challenges posed by COVID. I’m pleased that my legislation, the KIDS CARE Act, which would improve access to mental health services for our nation’s youth was included in this bill. I urge the Senate to act quickly on this bipartisan package.”

The KIDS CARE Act, introduced by Kuster, would improve access to mental health care and streamline processes for reimbursement of existing school-based health services by requiring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to issue guidance on ways to reduce administrative barriers. It also requires state Medicaid programs to ensure eligible incarcerated juveniles are given health screenings and appropriate referrals in coordination with their release.