House subcommittee approves mental health legislation

Nov 05, 2015 - 04:25 PM

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee last night voted 18-12 to approve a substitute amendment to the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646), legislation authored by Reps. Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) to reform elements of the nation’s mental health system. In a letter yesterday to the subcommittee, the AHA voiced support for a provision that would allow states to use federal Medicaid funds to cover services for adults in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Among other comments, AHA voiced support for language authored by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) requiring the Health and Human Services Secretary to clarify what information providers may disclose to parents and caregivers in certain situations. The bill now moves to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for further consideration. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have introduced a similar bill, which Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander has said the committee will take up early next year.

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