Sponsors (2)
The bill preserves SOAR training and community behavioral-health program continuity through FY2029 but does so by rescinding $20 million in HHS unobligated balances, trading short-term departmental funding flexibility (and possible impacts on other programs) for sustained suicide-prevention training and services.
Health-care trainees and service providers (e.g., clinicians, outreach staff) continue to receive SOAR suicide-prevention training through FY2029, preserving provider capacity for suicide prevention and behavioral-health outreach.
State and community behavioral-health programs avoid a funding gap for five more years, maintaining program continuity that supports ongoing community-based behavioral-health efforts and coordination with providers.
The bill imposes an immediate $20 million rescission of HHS unobligated balances, reducing departmental contingency funds and limiting HHS's near-term budget flexibility.
If the rescinded $20 million was intended for other HHS initiatives, those programs could face delays or reduced resources, potentially affecting services for patients with chronic conditions and state-administered programs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Eric Stephen Schmitt · Last progress January 23, 2025
Extends the statutory authorization for the SOAR to Health and Wellness Training Program for five more fiscal years (FY2025–FY2029) so the program can continue carrying out training activities. Also rescinds $20,000,000 from unobligated balances in the Department of Health and Human Services Nonrecurring Expenses Fund, reducing HHS’s available unobligated funds by that amount upon enactment.