Republican nominee Donald Trump, according to his campaign website, believes that reform is necessary and families need tools to help them with the mental health problems of their loved ones.  He offers few specific proposals except for increased funding to provide services for veterans with PTSD and for suicide prevention.

Trump’s primary goal in terms of health care is repeal of the Affordable Health Care Act, which he would replace with an unspecified improved program.  He proposes making Medicaid a block grant program to offer states greater flexibility in allocating funds by eliminating mandated services.

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would host a White House Conference on Mental Health during the first year of her presidency.  Her 12-page plan calls for better enforcement of parity regulations, integration of treatment systems for physical and mental health, improved efforts at early diagnosis and supports for college students, and alternatives to jail whenever possible for those with mental illness.  She would also fund an expansion of community-based housing and employment programs.

Click here for an article with more detail on these proposals.  Clinton’s full plan appears on this blog in the category federal mental health legislation.