Bipartisan mental health reform bill passes in the House, proceeds to Senate

The House of Representatives recently passed the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, H.R. 2646, in a 422-2 vote.

Introduced by Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., and Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, the bill has 197 cosponsors, which include 141 Republicans and 56 Democrats.

The legislation was unanimously passed in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in June.

Maria A. Oquendo

“Comprehensive mental health reform is urgently needed in our country, and this bipartisan legislation helps address this critical need,” Maria A. Oquendo, MD, president of the American Psychiatric Association, said in a press release. “We now strongly urge the Senate to take up mental health reform legislation that will make care more available to those who need it, especially patients and families living with serious mental illness. We look forward to working with members of both parties to pass mental health reform this year.”

Significant provisions of the revised Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act include:

A limit on Medicaid coverage for inpatient mental health care at institutions for mental diseases exclusion, as per the final Medicaid managed care rule;
The bill no longer uses language that would lessen Health Information Portability Accountability (HIPAA) restrictions, though it does create a program to educate providers about what information can and cannot be shared;
The bill no longer requires CMS to report on federal investigations into compliance with the law but does require the Government Accountability Office to complete a study on federal oversight of group health plans, including Medicaid managed care plans;
Reauthorization of grant programs, including the Garrett Lee Smith program, though no new funding was provided; and more.

Andrew W. Gurman

“The AMA commends the House of Representatives, and Representatives Tim Murphy and Eddie Bernice Johnson specifically, on passing the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, H.R. 2646, by a vote of 422-2,” Andrew W. Gurman, MD, president of the AMA, said in a press release. “This legislation would provide critical support for and resources to our mental health system by making reforms to mental health delivery. These reforms would help to provide access to, and improve treatment for, millions of Americans who suffer from mental illness and substance use disorders, as well as help to prevent such conditions. We urge the Senate to continue its efforts to advance meaningful mental health legislation as well so that critical reforms can be signed into law this year.”