Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 12, 2009

Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish the Commission for Evidence-Based Mental and Substance Use Health Care; (2) convene an interagency collaborative group to coordinate mental health and substance use services and primary care services; (3) change Medicaid reimbusement rules to cover same-day visits for primary care services and mental health and substance use services; (4) implement a plan for ensuring that Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) activities promote health information technology that is accessible and pertinent to mental health and substance use health care providers and consumers; and (5) establish the Council on the Mental Health and Substance Use Health Care Workforce.

Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make grants for a network of national centers of excellence in mental health and substance use health care.

Requires specified federal programs that provide mental health and substance use care to pay for peer support and illness self-management programs and provide for appropriate payment and coverage reforms.

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Directs the Secretary to develop uniform methodologies related to payments for mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

Requires the Comptroller General to study the use of publicly-supported mental health and addiction services by individuals with private health insurance coverage.

Directs the Secretary to establish a five-year project to demonstrate the impact of creating delivery and financing structures that deliver high-quality, integrated, mental health and substance use health care.

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require states to prohibit discrimination against patients being treated for, or health care providers providing treatment for, any medical condition, illness, or injury involving intoxication as a result of alcohol or other substance.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Kennedy, Patrick J. [D-RI-1] · D–RI

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 13, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
May 12, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 12, 2009
Introduced in House
May 12, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 12, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2369 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.2369, 111th Congress: Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-05-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr2369/BILLS-111hr2369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:15:52Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2369 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2369 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2369, 111th Congress: Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-05-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr2369/BILLS-111hr2369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:15:52Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2369 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2369 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2369, 111th Congress: Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-05-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr2369/BILLS-111hr2369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:15:52Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2369 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2369 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2369, 111th Congress: Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-05-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr2369/BILLS-111hr2369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:15:52Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2369 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.