Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Recognizing the significant and often overlooked behavioral health needs experienced by individuals and families affected by rare diseases, and for other purposes.
A Democratic resolution with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution recognizes the significant behavioral health needs of people and families affected by rare diseases. It affirms that behavioral health care is an essential part of comprehensive care and should be integrated into clinical pathways and Federal policies. The resolution calls on Federal agencies to prioritize behavioral health access within rare disease initiatives and research. It also encourages the expansion of peer support programs and the strengthening of cultural competency within the workforce. Additionally, it urges investment in the behavioral health workforce and recommends addressing reimbursement barriers. Finally, it encourages incentives for clinician education and collaboration among various organizations.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The resolution promotes integrating behavioral health into clinical pathways and addressing workforce shortages.
- Scored +6
Would children be better off under this?
The bill specifically urges investment in the child and adolescent behavioral health workforce.
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill addresses the mental health and psychosocial needs of people living with rare diseases.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Integration of Care: The resolution affirms that behavioral health is an essential component of rare disease care and should be integrated into clinical pathways, research, and Federal policies (Section 2).
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Increased Access via Federal Agencies: It calls on agencies like the HHS, NIH, and CMS to prioritize behavioral health access within their initiatives and research funding (Section 3).
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Peer Support: The resolution encourages the expansion of standardized, evidence-informed peer support programs, including virtual and community-based models (Section 4).
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Cultural Competency: It supports efforts to strengthen cultural competency and humility to ensure equitable access and reduce disparities (Section 5).
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Workforce Investment: The resolution urges investment in the behavioral health workforce, specifically focusing on child and adolescent providers (Section 6).
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Improved Financial Access: It recommends that payors evaluate and address reimbursement barriers that currently limit access to integrated services (Section 7).
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Clinician Education: It encourages the creation of Federal incentives for clinicians to pursue continuing medical education regarding the psychiatric and psychosocial dimensions of rare diseases (Section 8).
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Collaborative Strategies: It supports collaboration between Federal agencies, advocacy organizations, and academic institutions to develop comprehensive strategies (Section 9).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill specifically urges investment in the child and adolescent behavioral health workforce. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill addresses the mental health and psychosocial needs of people living with rare diseases. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill emphasizes cultural competency to ensure equitable access for diverse communities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill emphasizes cultural competency to ensure equitable access for diverse communities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill encourages CMS and federal agencies to prioritize access to behavioral health services. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill emphasizes cultural competency to ensure equitable access for diverse communities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The resolution promotes integrating behavioral health into clinical pathways and addressing workforce shortages. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill advocates for addressing reimbursement barriers and prioritizing access through federal agencies. Does this put more money into medical research? — The resolution calls for prioritizing behavioral health within federal research funding agendas. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill calls on CMS to prioritize behavioral health access within rare disease initiatives.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill supports strengthening cultural competency and humility to reduce health disparities.
- 5/14/2026
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska