New Congressional Bill Will Spotlight Actual Prevalence, Cost Burden of Schizophrenia-Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance
The Cost of Mental Illness Act of 2022 authorizes groundbreaking studies to improve system of care for people living with the brain disease
April 7, 2022 – A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress today is designed to produce pioneering, fact-based data that will support improved public policies and better care for people with schizophrenia.
The Cost of Mental Illness Act of 2022, introduced by U.S. Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and David Trone (D-MD), authorizes a study of the costs of serious mental illness on U.S. families, hospitals, nursing homes, and the penal system, as well as a national survey to determine the actual number of people living with the neurobiological disease.
“Without accurate data, it is difficult to design solutions that will reduce the crushing cost burden of schizophrenia and improve the lives of people living with this disease,” said Gordon Lavigne, CEO of the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance. “We applaud Reps. Reschenthaler and Trone for their advocacy and for understanding the urgent need for this information.”