REPORT BY SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.

SEC. 708. REPORT BY SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION. (a) Interim Report.—Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shall compile and directly transmit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate an interim report that includes the following information: (1) A compilation and summary of the scientific literature and research concerning the provision of health insurance, by both public and private entities, for substance abuse (including alcohol abuse) and mental health services. (2) A review of the scientific literature evaluating the medical effectiveness of substance abuse (including alcohol abuse) and mental health services. (3) An examination of past practices and emerging trends of health insurance coverage for substance abuse (including alcohol abuse) and mental health services, including an examination of trends in copayments, lifetime coverage maximums, number of visits, and inclusion or exclusion of such services. 106 STAT. 441 (4) An identification of issues attendant to and analysis of barriers to health insurance coverage for substance abuse (including alcohol abuse) and mental illness services. Such analysis shall include a discussion of how substance abuse (including alcohol abuse) and mental health services would be affected by the various health care reform under consideration in Congress. (5) An examination of the issues attendant to limitations placed on the use of Medicaid program funds for adults receiving substance abuse (including alcoholism services) and mental health services in intermediate care residential settings. (b) Final Report.—Not later than October 1, 1993, such Administrator shall compile and transmit directly to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate a report that identifies the relevant policy issues and research questions that need to be answered to address current barriers to the provision of substance abuse and mental health services. The Administrator shall design a research and demonstration strategy that examines such barriers and tests alternative solutions to the problems of providing health insurance and treatment services for substance abuse and mental health services. As soon as practicable but not later than January 1, 1994, the Secretary shall initiate research and demonstration projects that, consistent with the information contained in the reports required under this section, will study the issues identified with, and possible alternative mechanisms of, providing health insurance and treatment services for substance abuse (including alcohol abuse) and mental illness.