Behavioral health and COVID-19: higher-risk populations and related federal relief funding : report to congressional committees

Behavioral health and COVID-19: higher-risk populations and related federal relief funding : report to congressional committees

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Contributor(s):
United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.
United States. Congress, issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, December 2021
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
COVID-19 -- psychology
Government Regulation
Mental Health Services -- legislation & jurisprudence
Pandemics -- economics
Vulnerable Populations -- legislation & jurisprudence
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Why GAO did this study. The COVID-19 pandemic has had repercussions for the behavioral health of the nation. During the pandemic, U.S. adults have reported higher rates of anxiety and depression symptoms and substance use. To address related concerns, the CARES Act; the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated relief funds specifically for behavioral health. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report describes (1) populations that may be at higher risk of behavioral health effects; (2) the amount and type of funding the federal government provided in COVID-19 relief to address behavioral health needs; and (3) whether COVID-19 relief funds for behavioral health could serve higher-risk populations, and how selected funding recipients plan to use these funds. GAO will continue to monitor behavioral health issues as part of ongoing COVID-19 related oversight. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed selected research on COVID-19 and behavioral health, and relevant federal funding opportunity and awards documents. GAO also interviewed stakeholders, such as federal officials, researchers, and grantees. Grantees included state officials and providers in four states and Washington, D.C., selected based on state behavioral health metrics and CARES Act-funded grants received, among other factors. GAO incorporated technical comments from the departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security, as appropriate.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (iv, 77 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
9918383085206676 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918383085206676