Sponsors (2)
The bill directs a federal study to identify ways to improve rural mental health and SUD care for agricultural communities—providing actionable guidance and best practices that could expand access and reduce stigma over time, but delivering no immediate services and carrying modest resource and potential future cost implications.
Farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their families will receive targeted GAO recommendations aimed at improving their access to substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health care in rural areas.
Rural health providers and communities will gain identified, replicable best practices (e.g., training, telehealth, paraprofessional certificates) that could be adopted to expand local treatment capacity.
Agricultural organizations and local providers will be encouraged to coordinate outreach, which may increase engagement with services and reduce stigma among farm families.
Farmers, rural residents, and other beneficiaries will not get new or expanded services immediately because the bill funds a study; any on-the-ground improvements depend on follow-up actions that could take two years or longer.
Taxpayers could face increased federal spending or regulatory changes in the future if policymakers act on the study's recommendations.
GAO staff and resources will be used to conduct the study, which may divert oversight capacity from other GAO work.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires GAO to study access to SUD and mental health care for agricultural populations and report findings and recommendations within two years.
Introduced March 14, 2025 by Michael F. Bennet · Last progress March 14, 2025
Requires the Government Accountability Office to study how easy it is for farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their family members to get substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health care, and to report findings and recommendations to federal agencies and Congress within two years. The study must examine availability in rural areas, financial/geographic/cultural barriers, successful programs and practices (including telehealth, workforce training, culturally competent approaches, and outreach), and how Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network grantees are using funds and best practices.