The Senate Finance Committee approved a bipartisan bill on Thursday that was introduced by Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) to expand access to mental health treatment and improve available care.
Blunt and Stabenow introduced the Excellence in Mental Health Act in February. The measure would give community mental health centers an opportunity to be designated as certified community behavioral health clinics.
“This is an important step forward as we work to fix America’s mental health policies,” Blunt said. “We’ve got a model that works to solve these important problems. It’s time for Congress to act.”
Pilot programs would be established in 10 states if the measure were signed into law.
“Strengthening mental health services isn’t partisan,” Stabenow said. “It is an important issue that touches all of our families in some way. Our bipartisan bill expands access to care and improves quality of care so people living with mental illness can get the treatment they need. Instead of merely talking about this issue in the wake of tragedies, it is time for Congress to finally take action.”
The bill would ensure that certified community behavioral health clinics provide 24-hour care, more support for families of those living with mental illness and capability to treat mental health and substance abuse at the same time.