“H.R. 2646 is a demonstration of more than three years of collaboration between not only myself and Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA), the sponsor of the bill, but the many other members and organizations that came to the table to offer feedback, suggestions, and at times criticism. The end result is a bill that remains focused on enabling the most severely mentally ill to access the treatment they desperately deserve while allowing their family and caregivers to help them along the way.”
This legislation contains several necessary provisions including the establishment of an Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder. It eases our nation’s chronic shortage of psychiatric beds and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to clarify confusing HIPAA rules surrounding mental health patients. The legislation also increases grant programs that have proven results in helping individuals with serious mental illness gain access to treatment like Assisted Outpatient Treatment and Assertive Community Treatment.
As two of the few mental health providers serving in Congress at this time, Congressman Murphy and I have always been focused on the need of the severely mentally ill. While the homeless and prison populations are particularly vulnerable to mental illness, they are the individuals that get the least amount of attention and access to mental health services. Through our work, we have gained a deep understanding of patient needs. Right now, those needs are not being met. I am hopeful that this bill will be a framework to help us move the needle forward on mental health treatment in America. We still have a long way to go, but the passage of this legislation is certainly a big step forward.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
