President Signs Economic Recovery Package Into Law
February 18, 2009
As is being widely reported in the press, President Obama yesterday signed in to law the massive $787 billion economic recovery and stimulus package. The bill, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HR 1), includes a broad range of tax cuts, aid to states and investments in health care.
There are a broad range of provisions that are expected to have a major impact on public programs and agencies serving children and adults with serious mental illnesses – at the federal, state and local level. These include critical investments to shore up safety net programs such as Medicaid, disability benefits, supportive housing and special education. In addition, the new law includes additional funding for medical research and health information technology.
A major focus of the new law will spending funds as quickly as possible – in most cases with requirements for agencies to obligate 60% of funds allocated within 24 months and 100% within 60 months. NAMI has developed a summary of the major provisions in the package of interest to people living with mental illness and their families. Updates will be provided as federal agencies announce specific plans for how funds are to be expended.
Click here to view a summary of the provisions of interest to persons living with mental illness.
Click here to view a comprehensive summary of the new law, as well as the full text and the accompanying legislative report on the House of Representatives website.
