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BREAKING: Murphy's Mental Health Legislation Signed Into Law

12/13/16
BREAKING: Murphy's Mental Health Legislation Signed Into Law

Representative Tim Murphy

BREAKING: Murphy’s Mental Health Legislation Signed Into Law

As part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is now law

For Immediate Release: December 13, 2016
Contact: Carly Atchison 202.225.2301

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tim Murphy's (PA-18) Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, included in the 21st Century Cures healthcare reform package, was signed into law. 

As the nation nears the fourth anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary, Congressman Murphy released the following statement:

“This is a moment of hope for all the families who have long lived in the shadows, caring for a loved one with serious mental illness. This is a time of great encouragement for all the patients who have been left out of America’s healthcare system. We are ending the era of stigma surrounding mental illness and focusing on delivering treatment before tragedy. By bringing research, treatments and cures into the 21st Century, we are finally breaking down the wall between physical health and mental health. 

“I am deeply moved that the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act was signed into law just one day shy of the fourth anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook. As I reflect on the day that families of the victims visited my office, I am reminded of why and how we got here: the countless families who never lost their hope that something can change - they motivated my relentless effort to fix the patchwork of antiquated programs and ineffective policies to get care to those in psychiatric crisis.

“These families hail from California, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Ohio and Pennsylvania. It doesn't matter where they're from: their stories are the same -- a mental health system laden with hurdles and bureaucracy that makes it difficult to get proper care.

“Through congressional hearings and an in-depth investigation, we discovered the fatal disconnect between 112 federal agencies assigned to treat the mentally ill. We exposed a $130 billion dollar investment wasted on feel-good fads that have done little to treat the ill as the rates of homelessness, incarceration, suicide and drug overdose deaths soar. We came together, across party lines, went to work, and while many doubted we would make it this far - here we are. 

“And we’re still not done. I will continue advancing reforms so none remain in the shadows because we’ve set our eyes on one goal: to fix our nation’s broken mental health system so it works for all. 

“We are turning the tide on the way we treat the mentally ill in this nation. Today, we have a new law that will save lives because someone in psychiatric crisis should get treatment in a hospital bed and not locked up in a jail cell or dumped onto the street. To every family member, to the tens of thousands who reached out to me, to those who stepped forward to share their story of serious mental illness and be a voice for change, my deepest gratitude for your courageous stand to help families in mental health crisis.” 

For a full list of the provisions included in the final bill, click here.

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Murphy Press | Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18)
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