Murphy leads nation’s first mental health reforms in 50 years to House approval

The landmark 21st Century Cures Act recently approved by the House included sweeping reforms to the nation’s mental health system led by U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA).

The inclusion of Murphy’s Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act in the medical innovation legislative package marks the first time in more than a half century that Congress has acted to reform the nation’s mental health system.

“For the last four years since the time of the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary followed by repeated other ones, our nation has been awoken from a slumber of ignoring problems of mental illness in America,” Murphy said on the House floor. “We’ve changed the situation where now we are coming together on a bill that will save lives.”

The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act would authorize grants to support suicide prevention and early intervention programs, increase the number of psychiatrists and psychologists available, and allow law enforcers to use existing funds to establish mental health response programs.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), a cosponsor of the bill, said the much-needed reforms in the bipartisan measure follow decades of flawed policies.

“For far too long Americans suffering with mental illness have been stigmatized and left in the shadows,” Buchanan said. “I’ve heard from countless families in Southwest Florida about how our current system leaves Americans untreated, incarcerated or worse. Congress can send a real message to all of those crying out for help by passing these life-saving reforms.”

The measure would create a new assistant secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee mental health and substance abuse programs, and it would clarify privacy rules that currently prohibit family members from getting critical information about their loved one’s medication and treatment plans.

The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act also includes House-approved legislation led by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), the Mental Health and Safe Communities Act.

McSally’s bill outlines support for mentally ill offenders re-entering communities, better treatment of co-occurring disorders, and improved law enforcement training.

“For too long, our failed mental health care system has left families and communities with nowhere to turn,” McSally said. “Today, that changes. The House-passed legislation includes provisions I sponsored to help communities better respond to mental health crises and provide better treatment options for families and individuals struggling with mental illness.”

“These provisions were the result of months of hard work and the bipartisan support of a diverse group of lawmakers and organizations, including mental health advocates and law enforcement,” she added.