Over the past half century, scientists have made impressive progress in learning how to diagnose and treat many mental illnesses and their underlying physical causes. But the Surgeon General estimates that two-thirds of Americans with diagnosable mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and clinical depression are not receiving treatment. Many are unable to seek treatment because their private or public insurance does not cover mental health services or imposes additional costs or limits on care. Still others are among the 44 million people with no health insurance at all. Mental illness accounts for as much as 15% of all disability in the United States.

Rep. Levin believes that all Americans should have access to mental healthcare when they need it, and has made removing barriers to mental health treatment a top priority. In 2004, he served on Governor Granholm's Michigan Mental Health Commission.

Michigan Mental Health Commission Final Report