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APA supports bipartisan mental health reform legislation introduced in US Senate

The APA recently announced its support for the bipartisan mental health reform legislation introduced by U.S. senators Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Bill Cassidy, MD, R-La.

“The nation’s mental health system needs reform and investment, and we applaud Senators Murphy and Cassidy for this comprehensive reform initiative,” Saul Levin, MD, MPA, CEO and medical director of the APA, said in a press release. “We will work with legislators on both sides of the aisle to accomplish mental health reform.”

Saul Levin

Many important provisions of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, previously introduced in the House by Reps. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., and Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, are included in the proposed Senate legislation, according to the release.

“We look forward to the House and Senate delivering comprehensive mental health reform this year, especially on behalf of patients and families living with serious mental illness,” Levin said in the release.

Levin noted the APA supports House and Senate legislation that will increase access to vital mental health services. The aforementioned bills include provisions that will strengthen the enforcement of mental health equality and establish a national approach to address the mental health workforce shortage.