A bipartisan group of senators unveiled a major mental health reform bill Monday night, months after a House mental health bill was left stalled in the lower chamber.
The Mental Health Reform Act would give states more help to address mental illness through better coordination with federal agencies and departments. It would also update block grants to states to support efforts to provide quality mental health care.
The bill was released by leaders in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
“One in five adults in this country suffers from a mental illness, and nearly 60 percent aren’t receiving the treatment they need,” said 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.”
Alexander worked on the bill alongside Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Ranking Member Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Bill Cassidy, R-La.
The House has also been trying to figure out how to deal with mental health reform. A major bill from Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., was introduced last fall but has yet to get out of committee.
Murphy’s bill would make changes to Medicaid billing policies on mental health. His bill would also reorganize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency.
