HELPING FAMILIES IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ACT TO BE VOTED ON THIS WEEK, REP. TIM MURPHY CLAIMS MAJOR VICTORY
Read U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy's summary of the key problems in our nations mental health system and the "Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act H.R. 2646" found at docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF14/20150616/103615/BILLS-1142646ih.pdf
A version of the bill may be voted on as early as the end of November 2016. Murphy anticipates bi-partisan support. This important bill currently includes a focus on evidenced-based treatment, expanding the number of beds and the mental health workforce and advancing early intervention and prevention programs and much more.
Congressman Murphy released the following statement:
“This is a landmark moment. The federal government’s course in addressing mental health and illness in America is being fundamentally changed. Congress has finally come together in a bipartisan effort to bring serious mental illness out of the shadows. Now federal agencies will be moving from feel-good programs for behavioral wellness to ones that emphasize evidence-based care for those at highest risk and those with symptoms of serious mental illness. We’ve achieved long-sought reforms by creating an Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to elevate, integrate and coordinate programs; investing in services for the most difficult to treat cases; expanding the mental health workforce, and so much more.