A House committee unanimously advanced a mental health bill that tries to reform how dozens of federal agencies treat people with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the bill from Rep. Tim Murphy by a vote of 53-0, sending it to the House floor. Scaled back from its original form, the legislation would institute an assistant secretary of mental health and create a new panel to streamline the government’s many mental health programs, among other reforms.
“Those suffering from mental illness need the attention of this Congress and for too many, our fragmented system of grants, prevention, treatment simply doesn’t always work,” Chairman Fred Upton said.
House Speaker Paul Ryan has said he wants to make mental health reform a priority this year, although it’s unlikely the House will take up Murphy’s bill before it begins its summer recess next month.
“This is good, bipartisan legislation that helps get people the treatment they need when they need it,” Ryan said. “I’m proud of Rep. Murphy for his leadership and I commend the Energy and Commerce Committee for passing this important legislation.”
Murphy introduced his “Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis” Act in late 2013, but was forced to remove some elements such as a requirement that all states set up a court-mandated treatment program to win over Democrats. He initially started exploring mental health reform after the December 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
“For the victims, for the families, for the millions of Americans struggling with mental illness, please know: We heard you,” Murphy said.
Several lawmakers tried to introduce amendments but later withdraw them, upon promises by Upton that he would work to address their concerns in other ways. The committee rejected one amendment from Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., which would have permitted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to offer grants for gun violence research.
