U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) called the enactment into law of mental health legislation he championed a moment of hope for families caring for loved ones with mental illnesses.
Murphy’s Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act was included in the 21st Century Cures Act health care reform package that President Obama signed into law on Tuesday.
“This is a time of great encouragement for all the patients who have been left out of America’s health care system,” Murphy said. “We are ending the era of stigma surrounding mental illness and focusing on delivering treatment before tragedy. By bringing research, treatments and cures into the 21st Century, we are finally breaking down the wall between physical health and mental health.”
Murphy noted that his mental health reform bill was signed into law a day before the fourth anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which inspired him to act on mental health reforms.
The mental health reforms strengthen the leadership and accountability of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It also ensures mental and substance abuse disorder, prevention, treatment and recovery programs keep pace with science and technology. In addition, the legislation supports state prevention activities and promotes access to care.
Through congressional hearings and investigations, Murphy said, a major disconnect was discovered across the 112 federal agencies tasked with addressing mental illness.
“We exposed a $130 billion dollar investment wasted on feel-good fads that have done little to treat the ill as the rates of homelessness, incarceration, suicide and drug overdose deaths soar,” Murphy said.
“I will continue advancing reforms so none remain in the shadows because we’ve set our eyes on one goal: to fix our nation’s broken mental health system so it works for all.”