Mental health has become an even more important public health issue as this coronavirus continues to impact our lives – one-third of Americans have felt that this pandemic has seriously affected their mental health.
Today, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health honored my request to hold a hearing on this important issue. This hearing examined 22 bills, including one that I introduced alongside Rep. Drew Ferguson addressing mental health in schools. Other topics included suicide prevention, telehealth services, and addressing mental health among underserved populations. Mental health should rise above partisan politics.
If you are in Texas and seeking support, you can call the toll-free HHSC COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at 833-986-1919 or visit HHSC’s Mental Health & Substance Use website.
National Updates The Food and Drug Administration released industry guidance for the development and licensure of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released guidance on hospital visitation for health care organizations entering phase II of reopening.
Texas Updates Today, Governor Abbott expanded last week’s executive order to limit non medically necessary surgeries in hospitals in four additional counties: Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, and Webb. Hospitals in these counties will not be able to perform these procedures if doing so would detract from their COVID-19 capacity.
Yesterday, Texas reported a new daily high of nearly 7,000 new COVID-19 cases. This should serve as a reminder that COVID-19 is alive and spreading throughout our communities in Texas. If we work together and act responsibly, we can stop the spread.
ICYMI: Three recent interviews discussing the COVID-19 case increases in Texas:
