releases: https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-supports-major-mental-health-reform-plan
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-release-greg-walden-supports-major-mental-health-reform-plan | VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden supports major mental health reform plan passed by U.S. House | 2016-07-06 | 2016 | 2016-07 | Republican | House | OR | Greg Walden | W000791 | walden.house.gov | legacy | VIDEO RELEASE: Greg Walden supports major mental health reform plan passed by U.S. House Click here or on the image below to watch Walden’s remarks on the House floor WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved bipartisan reforms of the country’s mental health care system. The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646) will help deliver better, more timely care to mentally ill patients and their families. Walden spoke in support of this legislation on the House floor. See remarks below: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise in support of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. “Ten million Americans suffer from serious mental illness. If they get care, they're 16 times less likely to harm themselves or others. But, right now, too many patients fall through the cracks. “At a recent roundtable in Medford, Oregon, I heard from parents about their children who experienced homelessness and violence due to their illness, from caregivers about the difficulty getting patients timely care, and from law enforcement about how the default place for the mentally ill is often the local jail. The consensus among all of them was that the health care system, the government, and society are failing those who need help the most. “It’s clear we must do more to improve treatment, boost resources, and simplify the bureaucracy surrounding the mental health system in America. We can do better, and we will with this bill.” The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act reforms the federal government’s mental health bureaucracy to break down barriers to care. It allows families to better work with health care professionals to care for loved ones, and helps fix the shortage of psychiatric hospital beds in this country. The bill also advances tele-psychiatry to help mentally ill patients in rural areas. Click here for more information on the bill. In November, Walden held a roundtable meeting in Medford with mental health advocates, psychologists, physicians, and members of the law enforcement community to get their input on mental health legislation. Local health providers praised the bill. “Providence St. Joseph Health commends Congressman Walden for his leadership in sponsoring the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. It takes an important step forward in fixing the fragmented nature of behavioral health care. Mental health and wellness remains a major priority for our health system – our caregivers see the need every day in the many communities we serve across the western U.S. Providence St. Joseph Health is deeply grateful to Rep. Walden and every House member who supports this bill – together, we can make a real difference for some of the most vulnerable people in society,” said Rod Hochman, M.D., CEO, Providence St. Joseph Health. “As a Family Nurse Practitioner working in Emergency Services, I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of coordinated mental health care can have a negative effect in our communities,” said Dr. Cindi Warburton, Family Nurse Practitioner, Bend Memorial Clinic. “I know we can do a better job of providing crisis intervention and treatment programs and the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act will propel these efforts forward. Improving the health of our Nation begins with supporting our communities in providing access to physical and mental health services.” “In our little county of 7,000 people, as everywhere in America, people struggle with significant mental health issues. Anxiety, depression, and various forms of psychosis rob them of the ability to work and have healthy relationships. Their mental health issues rob them of life. There is so much that needs to be done to help these people find healing, and a new capacity to participate the communities that love them. The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is an important beginning. Its emphasis on integration and parity are critical if America is to move forward and address the issue of mental illness,” said Dr. Stephen Kliewer, Licensed Professional Counselor and Director Emeritus, Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, patients with serious mental illness receiving treatment are 16 times less likely to commit violent acts than those who go untreated. These individuals are also 11 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. The federal government spends $130 billion per year on mental health, yet the rates of violence, suicide, homelessness, and incarceration among the mentally ill have increased over the past two decades. This legislation will now go to the U.S. Senate, where a similar bill has already been introduced. If passed by the Senate, members from both chambers will work out any differences between the two versions of the bill before it is signed into law. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |