Last week, the Increasing Transparency In Generic Drug Applications Act of 2022 advanced through the Energy and Commerce Committee, as did the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act and KIDS CARES Act.

Both the Increasing Transparency In Generic Drug Applications Act and the KIDS CARES Act are sponsored by U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, who also is a key backer of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act.

The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act would reauthorize key mental health programs, increase access to substance use disorder treatment and expand virtual peer support.

The KIDS CARES Act would help ensure kids in the criminal justice system have the mental health support they need and will require state Medicaid programs to conduct medical and behavioral health screenings for juveniles upon their release from incarceration. KIDS CARES also directs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to update its school-based health services claims guide, including best practices. This will decrease the administrative burden on schools and increase the availability of health care services.

“Granite Staters are paying too much for prescription drugs. I’m pleased that today the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced my legislation to get cheaper medications to folks in New Hampshire,” said Kuster, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. “We need to make serious improvements to our nation’s health care systems – and today, we advanced several pieces of legislation to do just that. These bills will put into law commonsense solutions for the benefit of our country, our mental health system and our economy.”

We agree with Kuster that these pieces of legislation must move forward for the betterment of New Hampshire and the nation.