Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2021

To increase language access to mental health services at certain health centers, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2021 2. Pilot program to increase language access at Federally qualified health centers (a) Loan repayments to qualified health care professionals (1) In general For the purpose of increasing language access to mental health services, the Secretary shall carry out a demonstration project under which— (A) the Secretary matches qualified mental health professionals with Federally qualified health centers; (B) the qualified mental health professionals each agree to a period of obligated service at a Federally qualified health center with which they are so matched; and (C) the Secretary agrees to make loan repayments under section 338B of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l–1 (2) Preference In matching qualified mental health professionals with Federally qualified health centers under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give preference to placement at Federally qualified health centers at which at least 20 percent of the patients are best served in a language other than English, as indicated by data in the Uniform Data System (or any successor database). (3) Enhanced compensation For each year of obligated service that a qualified mental health professional contracts to serve under paragraph (1) at a Federally qualified health center at which at least 20 percent of the patients are best served in a language other than English, as indicated by data in the Uniform Data System (or any successor database), the Secretary may pay the higher of— (A) $10,000 above the maximum amount otherwise applicable under section 338B(g)(2)(A) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l–1(g)(2)(A) (B) if the qualified health professional is fluent in a language other than English that is needed by such Federally qualified health center, $15,000 above such maximum amount. (4) Achieving fluency A qualified mental health professional subject to the pay amount specified in paragraph (3)(A) at the beginning of the professional’s period of obligated service may transition to being subject to the higher pay amount specified in paragraph (3)(B) if the professional is determined by the Federally qualified health center at which the professional serves to have achieved fluency in a language other than English needed by that health center. (b) Grants to health centers (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out a demonstration program consisting of awarding grants under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254b (2) Preference In selecting grant recipients under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give preference to Federally qualified health centers at which at least 20 percent of the patients are best served in a language other than English, as indicated by data in the Uniform Data System (or any successor database). (3) Marketing A Federally qualified health center receiving a grant under this subsection shall use a portion of the grant funds to disseminate information about, and otherwise market, the mental health services supported through the grant. (c) Reports (1) Initial report Not later than 6 months after the first loan repayment awards have been made under subsection (a) and the first grants have been awarded under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to other appropriate congressional committees, a report on the implementation of the programs under this section. Such report shall include— (A) the languages spoken by the qualified mental health professionals receiving loan repayments pursuant to subsection (a) or recruited pursuant to a grant under subsection (b); (B) the Federally qualified health centers at which such professionals were placed; (C) how many Federally qualified health centers received funding through the grant program under subsection (b); (D) an analysis, conducted in consultation with the Federally qualified health centers receiving grants under section (b), of the effectiveness of such grants at increasing language access to mental health services; and (E) best practices, developed in consultation with Federally qualified health centers receiving grants under section (b), for the recruitment and retention of mental health professionals at Federally qualified health centers. (2) Final report Not later than the end of fiscal year 2026, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to other appropriate congressional committees, a final report on the implementation of the programs under this section, including the information, analysis, and best practices listed in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1). (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term Federally qualified health center 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa) (2) The term qualified mental health professional (A) physicians, allopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants with a specialty in mental health and psychiatry; (B) health service psychologists; (C) licensed clinical social workers; (D) psychiatric nurse specialists; (E) marriage and family therapists; (F) licensed professional counselors; (G) substance use disorder counselors; (H) occupational therapists; and (I) other individuals who— (i) have not yet been licensed or certified to serve as a professional listed in any of subparagraphs (A) through (H); and (ii) will serve at the Federally qualified health center under the supervision of a licensed individual or certified professional so listed. (3) The term Secretary (e) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. (2) Supplement not supplant Amounts made available to carry out this section shall be in addition to amounts otherwise available to provide mental health services at Federally qualified health centers pursuant to sections 338B and 330 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l–1

Summary: Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2021 This bill establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) two demonstration programs to increase access to mental health services provided in languages other than English at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). In carrying out the programs, HHS must give preference to FQHCs at which at least 20% of the patients are best served in a language other than English. First, HHS must provide National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayments to mental health care providers who agree to serve their period of obligated service in an FQHC. HHS may provide enhanced payments to those who serve in an FQHC with non-English language needs. (The NHSC is a scholarship and student loan repayment program for eligible health care providers who agree to work in areas with a shortage of primary care, dental care, and mental health care providers.) Second, HHS must award grants to FQHCs for recruiting and retaining mental health care providers who are fluent in a language other than English.