Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged to enhance access to mental health care if she becomes president. However, she recognizes that this complex issue presents significant challenges.
In a podcast last month, Harris described the situation as “one of the biggest public policy failures in our country.” She emphasized the need for a holistic approach to health care, stating, “We have acted as though the body starts from the neck down instead of understanding we need health care from the neck up.” This comment was made during the September 30 episode of “All the Smoke,” hosted by former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.
The mental health crisis in the United States is worsening. According to Mental Health America, nearly 1 in 5 American adults will face a diagnosable mental health condition each year. Over their lifetimes, almost half of all Americans—46 percent—will experience such a condition. Currently, around 43 million adults in the U.S. report having anxiety disorders, 46.5 million suffer from substance use disorders, and 22.5 million experience major depression.
Experts argue that addressing this crisis requires comprehensive federal policy solutions. These include increasing the number of mental health care providers, improving health insurance and Medicaid coverage, and ensuring equitable access to affordable mental health services.
President Joe Biden has made strides in this area. In September 2024, his administration implemented a rule requiring insurers to cover mental health and addiction care on par with physical health services. Biden also supported a 2022 gun violence law that enhanced behavioral health services in schools. Additionally, the administration set maximum wait times for Medicaid appointments and improved payment transparency for Medicaid providers.
Laudy Aron, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, noted that Biden’s initiatives may reflect what Harris would pursue if elected. “These have been positive developments, and I believe a Harris-Walz administration will build on them,” she said. However, she warned that there is no simple solution to the problem. “There’s no one or two policy levers that could fix this,” she added.
Much of the necessary work must occur at the state level, according to Aron. Federal policies should encourage states to develop comprehensive approaches to behavioral health. Increased investment in public mental health infrastructure is also essential.
Harris has a history of advocating for mental health access. As San Francisco’s district attorney, she supported a 2004 proposition to expand California’s behavioral health system for those with serious mental health issues. She also launched an initiative to provide mental health counseling for domestic violence survivors.
As California’s attorney general, Harris backed legislation to create a four-year pilot program for elementary schools to offer mental health services, especially in areas with high childhood trauma levels. During her 2020 presidential campaign, she proposed addressing the shortage of mental health and addiction care providers, aiming to double treatment beds and support vulnerable populations, including veterans and children affected by trauma.
Focus on Maternal Mental Health
Harris has also prioritized maternal health, introducing legislation to combat the maternal mortality crisis. While serving as a U.S. senator, she co-sponsored 13 bills aimed at improving maternal health, with a specific focus on mental health for Black women.
In September 2023, the Biden administration launched a task force on maternal mental health following a 2021 law. This task force will operate until 2027. Joy Burkhard, CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, hopes Harris will expand on the task force’s work if elected. She stressed the need for significant reforms to improve maternal care. “We can’t just keep talking about the problem. We need to do something robust,” Burkhard said.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, 1 in 5 women experiences a mental health or substance use disorder during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy and the year following birth.
Bipartisan Concerns
Mental health care is a bipartisan issue, despite some conflicting views. Former President Donald Trump has distanced himself from a policy document by the Heritage Foundation that proposes cutting Medicaid coverage for mental health care and eliminating the 2010 health care law. In April 2023, Trump suggested reinstating mental institutions for severely mentally ill individuals.
Mental health advocates worry that such moves could threaten recent advancements in mental health coverage. “We want to ensure that the progress made in extending mental health and substance use coverage continues to be available,” said Hannah Wesolowski, chief advocacy officer at the National Alliance for Mental Illness.
Despite these challenges, mental health access remains a bipartisan priority. Wesolowski highlighted the establishment of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which was a bipartisan effort. “I think this is an opportunity for any future president to ensure that every American knows about this lifesaving resource,” she said.
Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, advocates emphasize the need for substantial resources to improve the mental health care system in the U.S. “We’ve never really had a proper mental health system. It’s been cobbled together, and anyone needing mental health care faces numerous obstacles,” Wesolowski stated.
Related topics:
- North Texas Athlete and NFL Player Promote Heart Health Awareness
- Parents of Premature Baby Sue Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital After Tragic Death
- Mental Health Issues Cause Significant Productivity Loss in Finland
