Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolution

Floor Speech

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Mr. REED. Mr. President, as we all know too well rates of suicide have risen to epidemic levels in the United States, with suicide now the 10th leading cause of death in the country. On average, there are 129 suicides every day, roughly one every 11 minutes--a staggering statistic. That is why I am pleased to be introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to provide new resources to help turn the tide on this increasingly dire situation. I am joined in introducing the Suicide Prevention Act by Senator Kennedy, with Representatives Chris Stewart and Doris Matsui introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

This legislation would authorize new funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, to partner with the State and local health departments to improve surveillance of suicide attempts and other incidences of self-harm. Current data collection efforts regarding suicide are often years after the fact, which limits the ability of State and local health departments, as well as community organizations, to recognize trends early and intervene. This new effort would enhance data collection and sharing, as appropriate, in real time to help save lives.

Recognizing that emergency healthcare providers are at the frontlines of responding to suicide attempts, this bill would authorize funding for a grant program within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, to fund suicide prevention programs in emergency departments, ED, to better train staff in suicide prevention strategies, screen at-risk patients, and refer patients to appropriate followup care. The legislation would also require SAMHSA to develop best practices for such programs, so that healthcare providers are able to provide their patients with the best possible care and advice. Approximately 37 percent of individuals without a previous history of mental health or substance abuse who die by suicide make an ED visit within the year before their death. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the risk of suicide is greatest within a month of discharge from the hospital.

In 2017, 47,173 Americans lost their lives to suicide. That same year, there were 1.4 million suicide attempts. We must renew our efforts on suicide prevention. In 2004, working with my colleague Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon, we authored the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. This law authorized new youth suicide prevention programs in honor of Senator Smith's, son, who tragically died by suicide just a couple of weeks short of his 22nd birthday. For over a decade, these programs have funded college campus, State, and Tribal efforts to prevent suicide among our youth and young adult populations, who are particularly at risk of suicide. During this time, youth suicide rates have decreased significantly in my home State of Rhode Island, however, nationwide, suicide rates have skyrocketed over the last decade. That is why we must renew our attention and focus on suicide prevention, including by increasing funding for and access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This effort is critical to ensuring that when people in crisis call looking for help, someone will be there on the other end of the line to offer hope and counseling. I have also worked with my colleagues Senators Gardner, Baldwin, and Moran on legislation to designate the Lifeline as an easy to remember, 3-digit number, 9-8- 8. This common sense legislation would make it easier for people across the country to access the Lifeline when they really need it. I am glad the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, taking steps to make the 9- 8-8 number a reality, which makes increasing funding for the Lifeline all the more vital.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Senator Kennedy once again by introducing the Suicide Prevention Act today. I look forward to working together with our other sponsors and colleagues, as well as stakeholders supporting these efforts, to pass this critical legislation. ______

By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. Carper, Mr. Cramer, Ms. Smith, Ms. McSally, and Ms. Sinema):

S. 3200. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit high deductible health plans to provide chronic disease prevention services to plan enrollees prior to satisfying their plan deductible; to the Committee on Finance.

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