House SAMHSA bill omits charitable-choice clause.(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D.-Calif.) last week introduced the long-awaited House version of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reauthorization legislation, a bill that diverges from its Senate counterpart on the controversial issue of charitable choice.

Advocates have been waiting for the House to introduce a SAMHSA reauthorization bill since the Senate passed its version last November. Most observers had thought a House bill would be introduced early this year and would have a good chance of sailing to passage. Now, the House's omission of a provision to expand faith-based behavioral health treatment may prove to be a stumbling block to swift passage, or could result in a …