Congressman LaHood introducing legislation to address mental health care services

Congressman LaHood. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood is introducing legislation to address mental and behavioral health care services.

“As we’ve seen through the pandemic and all of the challenges and disruptions we had, we’ve seen an increase in behavioral incidents and also mental health and the needs for that,” the Dunlap Republican said.

Earlier this week, the bipartisan legislation passed the House Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives.

“(This will) help with tax benefits, tax incentives, for people to be able to have access to services,” Congressman LaHood told WJBC’s, Scott Miller. “What this will do will it provides additional fund through tax breaks to allow families to have access to mental health and behavioral health services.”

The legislation also identifies private insurance barriers to accessing mental health crisis services.

The bill is next on the House of Representatives calendar to be voted on, debated, or amended.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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