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Creates a federally led outreach and education program to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma among Hispanic and Latino communities. The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Assistant Secretary, must design and carry out a culturally and linguistically appropriate strategy that addresses subgroup differences, uses evidence-based adapted treatments, engages consumers and communities, and links behavioral and physical health. The Secretary must report to Congress within one year of enactment and annually thereafter on how the strategy affected behavioral and mental health outcomes. The bill authorizes $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the work.
The bill aims to improve Hispanic/Latino access to culturally tailored behavioral‑health services and increase integration and reporting, but limited authorized funding and added local implementation costs may constrain impact and raise taxpayer accountability concerns.
Hispanic and Latino individuals will receive culturally and linguistically tailored, community‑informed outreach that increases awareness and uptake of evidence‑based mental health and substance use services.
Promotion of links between behavioral and physical health will encourage integrated care and earlier treatment for comorbid conditions, benefiting patients and health systems.
Annual reporting to Congress and the public will increase transparency and accountability about program outcomes and use of funds.
The authorized $1,000,000 funding level is small and may limit the program's reach, leaving many communities underserved and reducing potential population impact.
If outcomes are limited, taxpayers and lawmakers may question value for money absent stronger performance metrics or larger funding, undermining political support.
Implementing culturally and linguistically adapted interventions will require coordination and capacity building, creating administrative and operational costs for local providers, nonprofits, and health systems.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Andrea Salinas · Last progress July 23, 2025