ARLINGTON, Va. Aug. 4, 2015– The American Psychiatric Association (APA) released the following statement from APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., regarding bipartisan comprehensive mental health reform legislation introduced today by U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-La.).
"The nation’s mental health system needs reform and investment, and we applaud Senators Murphy and Cassidy for this comprehensive reform initiative,” Levin said. “We will work with legislators on both sides of the aisle to accomplish mental health reform.”
Levin pointed out that the APA is pleased to see many of the important provisions in the bill previously introduced in the House by Reps. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, are included in this proposed Senate legislation.
“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 the APA supports legislation in the House and Senate that will help patients and families gain access to vital mental health services. These bills include significant provisions that will strengthen enforcement of mental health parity and establish a national strategy to address the national mental health workforce shortage.