Grassley Presses Administration on New Rural Mental Health Law

Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley wants to know the latest when it comes to the Seeding Rural Resilience Act.  Grassley sent a letter to the Department of Agriculture as well as Health and Human Services.  The legislation, approved in 2020, is designed to curb the rising rate of suicide in rural communities, via the National Defense Authorization Act.  Grassley’s law requires interagency coordination between USDA and HHS.

Grassley noted current economic conditions make timely implementation of the law even more important, adding, "The timely implementation of the Seeding Rural Resilience Act can provide life-saving resources to rural Americans."

In February and again in June, Grassley asked Surgeon General Vivek Murthy about efforts he is taking to support implementation of the Seeding Rural Resilience Act, given the surgeon general’s emphasis on improving mental health.  To date, Grassley has not received an answer from the surgeon general.

Click Here to read the letter that Grassley sent to Vilsack and Becerra.

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