A Unified Federal and State Policy Agenda for Brain Health

Interconnected systems like education, healthcare, and technology are vital for brain capital development. Panelists stress the importance of bipartisan collaboration, increasing access to care, and prioritizing early intervention for children and young adults. Key next steps include securing constitutional funding for Texas's DPRIT initiative and establishing a brain economy institute in Houston to guide national and global conversations.

Discussants: 

• Nathan Cook, Senior Director of Government Relations, Rice University – Moderator

• Andy Keller, PhD, President and CEO, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

• Joel Resendez, Director of State Government Relations, Rice University

• David Leebron, President and CEO, Texas 2036

• Russ Paulsen, COO, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s

This session underscored the importance of interconnected systems like education, healthcare and technology in brain capital development. Panelists highlighted the historical role of American innovation and emphasized the importance of investing in brain health and capital for future workforce needs. The timeliness of this focus was attributed to the destigmatization of mental health, advancements in neuroscience and an increasing awareness of brain health's economic impact, ranging from productivity to the prevention of tragic outcomes like suicides. Texas's favorable position was noted with DPRIT heading to Texas voters in November. This initiative aims for a constitutional amendment to secure sustained funding, offering a stable environment for brain health investment. The discussion also pointed to the significant role of leadership alignment in advancing such policy initiatives.

A major impediment to progress was identified as the current political climate, which necessitates bipartisan collaboration and a readiness to engage with diverse stakeholders, regardless of ideological differences. The persistent challenge of healthcare access was also discussed, particularly in Texas, which ranks poorly in uninsured population and faces a severe scarcity of mental health professionals in many counties. Despite these challenges, initiatives such as statewide telepsychiatry networks and investments in community colleges for training non-licensed professionals are viewed as steps toward improving access. The importance of prioritizing early intervention and prevention, especially for children and young adults, was stressed, as their long-term economic and societal impact significantly surpasses that of addressing brain decline in older populations, specifically late-stage dementia. The session concluded by emphasizing the need for commercialization expertise in academic projects to translate research into tangible products and the crucial role of nonprofit organizations in reaching marginalized populations often underserved by traditional healthcare systems.

Recommendations:

• Promote commercialization expertise: Integrate commercialization experts into academic research projects to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and the development of marketable products that benefit people. 

• Increase access to care: Address the shortage of mental health professionals and expand healthcare access, potentially through reciprocal licensing, integrated mental health services in schools and leveraging community colleges for training non-licensed professionals. 

• Prioritize early intervention: Shift focus and investment towards addressing brain health issues in children and young adults, recognizing their significant long-term societal and economic impact. 

• Foster bipartisan collaboration: Build relationships across political divides to garner broader support for brain health initiatives and ensure policy alignment. 

• Leverage technology for wider reach: Utilize telehealth and other technological solutions to extend brain health services to underserved and rural communities, ensuring equitable access. 

• Strengthen partnerships: Encourage collaboration between academic institutions, government, private industry and nonprofit organizations to combine strengths and address brain health challenges comprehensively. 

Next Steps:

• Secure constitutional funding for "DPRIT": Achieve voter approval in November for the "DPRIT" program to establish a constitutionally dedicated fund for brain research in Texas.

• Establish a brain economy institute in Houston: Create a leading institute in Houston to guide national and global conversations on the brain economy, fostering collaboration among legislators, investors and industry stakeholders. 

• Advocate for federal infrastructure investments in primary care: Champion policies like the "Complete Care Act" to fund infrastructure in primary care, enabling widespread dementia screening and early intervention for various brain health issues across all ages. 

• Develop data-driven policy insights: Utilize data from existing programs, such as those tracking children with trauma and depression histories, to inform policy makers and demonstrate the impact of brain health initiatives. 

• Continue advocacy for non-dilutive funding: Influence policymakers to ensure the continued flow of non-dilutive federal and state funding for basic scientific research, recognizing its crucial role in driving innovation and future solutions.