H.R. 8149 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, Mar 27, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStudies mental health care access for farmers
Farmers and ranchers face real stress from drought, bad weather, market troubles, and misleading information about their products. This bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study how easily farmers and ranchers can get addiction and mental health care, and to find out what programs at the state and local level are working well. The study will also come up with ideas for making care more accessible.
How it affects you
If you're a farmer or rancher struggling with stress, addiction, or mental health challenges, this study could eventually lead to better access to care in your area. The bill doesn't change anything immediately, but it gathers information that could help shape future programs and support for agricultural communities.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 27, 2026)
Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act
This bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to study the accessibility of addiction and mental health care providers and services for farmers and ranchers impacted by severe and persistent drought, extreme weather events, instability in the commodities market, and misinformation targeting consumers.
For example, the study must examine (1) best practices and successful programs at the state and local level that can be replicated at the federal level to address addiction and mental health care needs in agricultural communities, and (2) recommendations for improving the accessibility of care.
In conducting the study, NIFA must collaborate and consult with relevant federal agencies, state departments of agriculture, and mental health and agricultural organizations.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH. R. 8149
A BILL
Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO-2) · Introduced Mar 27, 2026 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 3, 2026: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.”