Reps. Hunter, Murphy to host panel discussion on broken mental health system
Discussion to highlight HR 3717, bipartisan legislation authored by Murphy and praised nationally and throughout San Diego
El Cajon—U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter will host a public forum this Friday, October 10, in El Cajon, to discuss the quality of America’s mental health system with local stakeholders, mental health providers and family members. Hunter will be joined by Representative Tim Murphy (PA), a leading advocate for mental health reform and author of bipartisan House legislation, HR 3717, the Helping Families in Mental Health Care Crisis Act.
Murphy is widely considered an expert on mental health issues given his background as a psychologist specializing in child and family treatment, as well as a Naval psychologist treating wounded service members with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Murphy’s legislation, HR 3717, is considered the most comprehensive overhaul of the mental health system and has received nationwide support from newspaper editorials, physicians and parents of children with mental illness.
“Whether the focus is children, parents, veterans or the homeless, the quality of mental health services this nation provides must be improved to better support individuals in need of help,” said Hunter. “And far too often, the opportunity for early intervention and treatment is missed, putting individuals and families at a tremendous disadvantage. I’m proud to be an initial supporter of the Helping Families in Mental Health Care Crisis Act and I’m especially grateful that Representative Murphy has agreed to discuss the importance of his legislation with leaders and members of the San Diego community.”
The discussion will begin at 1 PM PT on October 10, 2014. The location is the East County Chamber of Commerce, 201 S Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA, 92020. MEDIA IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.
In part, HR 3717 encourages states to adopt specific “need for treatment” standards and eases the shortage of inpatient psychiatric hospital beds by reforming a Medicaid billing policy that prohibits federal payments for mental health care at facilities with more than 16 beds.
