A bipartisan group of U.S. Senate health committee members, including the chairman and ranking member, announced on Monday their plan to address the country’s mental health crisis and ensure Americans suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders receive the care they need.
The bipartisan draft legislation works to bring our mental health care system into the 21st Century by embracing mental health research and innovation, giving states the flexibility they need to meet the needs of those suffering, and improving access to care, according to a Senate health committee media release.
“One in five adults in this country suffers from a mental illness, and nearly 60 percent aren’t receiving the treatment they need,” said Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. “This bill will help address this crisis by ensuring our federal programs and policies incorporate proven, scientific approaches to improve care for patients. States like Tennessee and local governments are on the forefront in treating mental illness and substance abuse, and this legislation will support their efforts so people can get the help they need.”
“I hear far too often from families in my home state of Washington and across the country about loved ones who are unable to get mental health care they desperately need, with tragic consequences,” said Senate health committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash. “Our mental health system has been broken for far too long, and I’m pleased that Democrats and Republicans were able to break through the gridlock and agree on policies to help deliver quality, integrated care to our neighbors, friends, and loved ones who struggle with mental illness.”
At the previously announced March 16 markup, several senators plan to introduce additional measures to strengthen access to and quality of mental health care as part of a manager’s amendment. The HELP Committee will also consider legislation at the markup to help tackle the opioid epidemic by addressing treatment, prevention, and other efforts to fight opioid addiction and abuse.
The Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 will:
• Ensure that mental health programs are effectively serving those with mental illness: The bill will improve coordination between federal agencies and departments that provide services for individuals with mental illness, and will improve accountability and evaluations of mental health programs.
• Help states meet the needs of those suffering from mental illness: This bill helps to ensure that federal dollars support states in providing quality mental health care for individuals suffering from mental illness by updating the block grant for states.
• Promotes the use of evidence-based approaches, promising best practices in mental health care: The bill requires that the federal agencies and programs involved in mental health policy incorporate the most up-to-date approaches for treating mental illness, and requires that agency leadership include mental health professionals who have practical experience.
• Increase access to mental health care: The bill increases access to care for individuals including veterans, homeless individuals, women, and children. It also helps improve the training for those who care for those with mental illnesses, and promotes better enforcement of existing mental health parity laws.
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