Mental Health

Mental Health Laws Bone of Content for Congress

By Kanika Gupta | Update Date: Nov 09, 2015 09:15 AM EST

In the 2016 Capitol Hill, mental health is becoming one of the top most cross-party issues. The problem is that a bill that can be acceptable to both the parties is going to be difficult. This point was noteworthy when a reform was proposed in the house and the members criticized it vehemently. Democratic opponents were extremely critical of the bill proposed by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa), Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, that too precedence in the health subcommittee. Rep. Murphy, also a clinical psychologist, opened his proposal by reminding the members of the summer that saw number of deadly tragedies in America that was sparked as a result of mental illness and the familiar ceremony when the congressional flag was lowered as the moment of silence of observed. Murphy said, "The body count is always climbing. We need action, not silence," reminding his colleagues of the tragedy and begging them to take some action. However, he didn't meet with silence but with opposition from the opposing party who pointed flaw after flaw in the bill, reports KRQE.

Top democrat of the subcommittee, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said that the bill proposed by Murphy will cause more damage than good. He said, the patient's privacy will be sullied should the bill come into force. Also, shifting the "funding away from substance abuse treatment" received by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will only make matters worse, says KRQE News.

Murphy condemns the belief that the mentally ill people cannot be more that their disease. He already has 158 cosponsors for his "Helping Families" bill which will help the Americans who need mental health treatment. It will also lift the HIPAA red tape for their families and will make more money available for the mental health research as well as further assistance, reports WIVB.

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