mental health reform

Why the New Mental Health Reform Law Passed, and What It Means to Me

December 15, 2016

By: Paul Gionfriddo, MHA president and CEO

It is fair to say that a year ago, few people thought we’d be celebrating mental health reform as part of the last major legislation signed by President Obama. There were so many outstanding issues to resolve, and many on both sides appeared to have dug in their heels.

But Congress did come through, due both to the dogged determination of a few key legislators, like Tim Murphy in the House and Chris Murphy in the Senate, and to the willingness of members of both parties and both chambers to find common ground.

Mental Health America Reacts to Senate HELP Legislation

March 10, 2016

By: Paul Gionfriddo, MHA president and CEO

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a draft of mental health reform legislation this week and invited comments from advocates. The committee plans to take it up on March 16.

Why It's Time to Come Together

November 13, 2015

By: Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO, MHA

Another Big Step in the Journey to Mental Health Reform

August 4, 2015

By Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO, MHA

Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have now introduced the Mental Health Reform Act of 2015. While Mental Health America has not yet formally endorsed it or its House counterpart, we consider it another important step toward making comprehensive mental health reform a reality in America.

It builds on H.R. 2646, the Murphy-Johnson proposal introduced two months ago in the House, incorporating many of the provisions that Mental Health America has made a priority in our advocacy for many years.