Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care

Full Title:
Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act

Summary#

This bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, to conduct a study on how easy it is for farmers and ranchers to find and use addiction and mental health care. The study focuses on farmers and ranchers affected by severe and persistent drought, extreme weather, instability in the commodities market, misinformation aimed at consumers, and related factors.

The study must examine: availability and access to providers in rural areas who are trained to serve agricultural communities; financial, geographic, and cultural barriers to care; best practices and programs that could be scaled up; and recommendations to improve access. The bill lists specific topics to review, including hiring and training providers, cultural competency training, certificate programs for paraprofessionals and peer coaches, curricula for youth, expanding telehealth, outreach to reduce stigma, better coordination between mental health and agricultural groups, and evaluation of services. The study must also assess the feasibility of funding 6 reimbursable therapy sessions for farmers, ranchers, and their families through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (7 U.S.C. 5936).

The Secretary must consult with federal agencies, state departments of agriculture, mental health organizations, agricultural organizations, and other stakeholders. A report with the study findings must be sent to the House and Senate agriculture committees no later than 180 days after the bill becomes law. The bill authorizes $1,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to carry out this section.

What it means for you#

  • For farmers and ranchers: The bill would create a federal study to identify how to improve access to addiction and mental health care. It does not itself create new services or require immediate therapy funding.
  • For health providers and local groups: The study could highlight needs, best practices, and possible program ideas that may guide future programs or funding.
  • For federal and state agencies: The Secretary of Agriculture will lead the study and must work with other agencies and stakeholders.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $1,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 to carry out the study.
  • The bill asks the study to examine the feasibility of funding 6 reimbursable therapy sessions through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, but it does not itself provide those therapy payments.

Proponents' View#

Supporters say farmers and ranchers face serious stresses from drought, extreme weather, market instability, and misinformation, and that a focused study can identify barriers and solutions. The bill lists many areas for the study to address, including training providers for agricultural communities, cultural competency, paraprofessional peer support, youth curricula, telehealth expansion, outreach to reduce stigma, better coordination with agricultural organizations, and research to measure program effectiveness.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.