Health Care Acts Timeline

President Truman signs the National Mental Health Act

President Kennedy signs the Community Mental Health Act

Because of Medicaid states are incentivized to move patients out of State Mental Hospitals and into Nursing Homes

The California Legislature passes the Lanterman Petris-Short Act. Which makes involuntary hospitalization of mentally ill people more difficult

President Carter signs the Mental Health System Act

Under President Reagan, the Omnibus Budgt Reconciliation Act repeals Carter's Community Health Legislation, and establishes block grants for states

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, states are forced to cut $435 billion in public mental health spending over the next three years.