ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13263Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13263

President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health

This executive order establishes a presidential commission to study and recommend improvements to the U.S. mental health service delivery system for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. The commission is tasked with reviewing current services, identifying effective treatments, and submitting interim and final reports to the President.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 22337

Impact dates

  1. Final report with recommendations

  2. Commission termination unless extended by President

  3. Interim report on unmet needs, barriers to care, and community-based care models

Key directives

  • Establish 15-member presidential commission plus 7 ex officio members
  • Conduct comprehensive study of U.S. mental health service delivery system
  • Review quality and effectiveness of public and private providers
  • Identify innovative and replicable mental health treatments and technologies
  • Formulate policy options for integrating effective treatments and improving community integration
  • Submit interim report within 6 months on unmet needs, barriers to care, and successful community-based models
  • Submit final report with recommendations (date TBD by Chair with President)
  • Terminate commission after 1 year unless extended by President

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Commission established
  • HHS designated to provide funding and administrative support

Near term (90d)

  • Interim report due within 6 months (by October 29, 2002)

Long term

  • Final report submission date to be determined by Chair in consultation with President
  • Commission terminates April 29, 2003 unless extended

Risks & tensions

  • Final report deadline is deliberately vague ('determined by the Chair in consultation with the President'), creating uncertainty about accountability timeline
  • Commission terminates automatically after 1 year, potentially limiting follow-through on recommendations
  • Principle of maximizing 'utility of existing resources' and 'reducing regulatory barriers' may tension with ensuring adequate service quality and access
  • Federalism principle (Sec. 4(e)) may limit federal leverage to implement recommended reforms
  • Dependent on HHS funding 'to the extent permitted by law' — budget constraints could limit commission effectiveness
Executive Order 13263: President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health · Executive Orders