UPDATE (August 3, 2017): Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz was confirmed by a Senate vote today to be the first Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
(Aug. 2, 2017) Yesterday, Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee at her long-awaited confirmation hearing on her nomination to be the first assistant secretary for mental health and substance use. “Our country faces very serious challenges in mental health and substance use,” Dr. McCance-Katz said in her opening statement, “and the position for which I am being considered heralds a new era in the treatment and care needs of Americans.”
The position, newly-created by the 21st Century Cures Act, is charged with leading the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and coordinating mental health and substance use funding and programs across all federal agencies. The Treatment Advocacy Center was an unwavering champion for the creation of the new position, and has enthusiastically supported Dr. McCance-Katz’s nomination.
Throughout her career, Dr. McCance-Katz has been a champion for evidence-based medical approaches to treatment and improved access to care. Answering a question posed by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) she stated, “Coverage is a problem for many, but access is a problem for most.” She underscored her dedication to fixing the mental health system, stating to the Committee that her two priorities as assistant secretary will be focusing on serious mental illness and finding solutions to the opioid epidemic.
Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), who were both instrumental in the creation of the assistant secretary position, affirmed their commitment to working with Dr. McCance-Katz to fix dysfunctions within SAMHSA, ensure parity implementation and focus on advancement of care for people with the most serious mental illnesses.
Following her hearing, the Treatment Advocacy Center believes Dr. McCance-Katz is likely to receive the support of the Committee, and will move forward shortly through the final stages of the confirmation process. If confirmed, we look forward to working with Dr. McCance-Katz to achieve her vision as assistant secretary.