Murphy urges action on mental health legislation

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) urged Congress to quickly pass his comprehensive mental health crisis reform bill after two Iowa police officers were slain by a gunman with a history of mental illness last week.

The House passed Murphy’s Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, H.R. 2646, in July with nearly unanimous support, legislation that would implement far-reaching reforms of the nation’s mental health system.

“Since Congress left in September, over 32,000 lives have been lost due directly or indirectly to mental illness,” Murphy said. “Congress went away, but the problems with our mental health system have not. My hope and plea is for the Senate to take up and pass the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act as soon as we return to Washington in the coming weeks.”

The bill would enhance community-based alternatives to institutionalized mental health care through assisted outpatient treatment, assertive community treatment and other intensive approaches.

Murphy’s bill calls for adding psychiatric hospital beds across the country, expanding the mental health workforce and creating grants for specialized law enforcement training. It also would establish a new position to coordinate federal efforts on mental health and substance use treatment.

“Our neighbors, siblings, parents and loved ones who are suffering from mental illness deserve this desperately needed reform. America deserves treatment before tragedy,” Murphy said.