H.R. 8149: Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act

The Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act is a proposed piece of legislation that aims to address the mental health care needs of farmers and ranchers who face challenges stemming from agricultural difficulties. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the accessibility of addiction and mental health care providers and services for this group, particularly focusing on those impacted by issues such as:

• Severe and persistent drought;
• Extreme weather events;
• Instability in the commodities market;
• Misinformation targeting consumers.

Study Requirements

The study mandated by the bill will cover several key areas:

• Availability of Services: It will assess how accessible addiction and mental health care providers are in rural areas, specifically for farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their family members.
• Barriers to Access: The study will identify the financial, geographic, and cultural barriers that prevent farmers and ranchers from obtaining mental health and wellness resources.
• Best Practices: It will identify successful programs and practices at the State and local level that could be replicated federally, including:
• Training addiction and mental health professionals to work with agricultural communities.
• Providing cultural competency training to professionals.
• Creating certificate programs for paraprofessionals and coaches for peer support.
• Researching curricula for youth in rural schools.
• Expanding telehealth services to improve care access.
• Developing outreach programs to raise awareness and reduce stigma regarding mental health.
• Enhancing coordination between mental health providers and agricultural organizations.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of provided services.
• Recommendations: The study will result in recommendations for improving access to addiction and mental health care services for farmers and ranchers.
• Feasibility of Funding: It will explore the feasibility of funding for therapy sessions for those in need, specifically through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network established under prior legislation.

Collaboration and Reporting

The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with collaborating and consulting with relevant federal agencies, state departments, mental health organizations, agricultural entities, and other stakeholders throughout the study. A report detailing the findings must be submitted to relevant congressional committees within 180 days following the enactment of the bill.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $1,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2029 to support the study and associated activities.

Relevant Companies

None found