This report originally appeared in the July 2010 issue of DOTmed Business News

Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Gene Green (D-Texas) introduced a bill reauthorizing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA was first established in 1992, and enables services for those needing substance abuse or mental health treatment, as well as research into effective prevention and treatment strategies. The current legislation authorizes grants for community-based mental health settings, integrates treatment for mental health and substance abuse co-occurring disorders, expands tele-psychiatry in underserved areas and addresses mental health workforce issues.

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Dr. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) have introduced the Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction and Awareness Act of 2010-H.R. 5462. The bill would provide grants for pregnancy and breastfeeding information services. In addition, the bill would initiate research on maternal exposures and health conditions that influence the risk of birth defects or premature birth, and maternal exposures posing health risks to breast-fed infants. DeLauro says the legislation is important because up to half of pregnant women aren't counseled about the potential risks of medications they may be taking and programs providing such information have been closing due to budget cuts.
Lastly, Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) has introduced the Virtual Screening for Colorectal Cancer Act of 2010-H.R. 5461. The bill would amend the Social Security Act to cover screening computed tomography colonography as a colorectal cancer screening test under the Medicare program. The bill also requires that the General Accounting Office initiate a study on the effectiveness of screening with computed tomography, and if the method improves overall colorectal cancer screening.

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