releases: https://web.archive.org/web/20140221124146/http://www.stabenow.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1225
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221124146/http://www.stabenow.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1225 | Sen. Stabenow, Glenn Close Push for Excellence in Mental Health Act | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MI | Debbie Stabenow | S000770 | web.archive.org | legacy | Award-winning actress and mental health advocate Glenn Close joined U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Roy Blunt, mental health advocates, veterans and law enforcement to urge Congress to pass bipartisan mental health legislation approved in committee last week. Ms. Close is the founder of Bring Change 2 Mind, an organization that works to end the stigma and discrimination against those living with mental illness. Ms. Close also met with Senators to urge action on the Stabenow-Blunt Excellence in Mental Health Act. Last Thursday, a version of the Excellence in Mental Health Act, authored by Stabenow and Blunt, was passed in the Senate Finance Committee as an amendment to so-called ‘doc-fix' legislation (the SGR bill), widely considered to be "must-pass" legislation. If Congress doesn't act on the SGR bill, physicians would see their payments slashed, potentially jeopardizing access to care for seniors across the country. The amendment will set up demonstration programs across the country to improve mental health care quality and expand access to mental health treatment. The Excellence in Mental Health Act continues to build more bipartisan support and momentum for passage. Glenn Close said: "It is critical that people come out and talk about mental illness to reduce the stigma surrounding those living with mental illness. This legislation is so important in the effort to expand access to mental health services and improve the quality of treatment available. With reduced stigma and discrimination, and increased access to quality care, people living with mental illness can get the treatment they need." Sen. Stabenow said: "Mental health issues touch every family in some way. Our bipartisan bill expands access and improves quality of care so people can get the treatment they need and live healthy, successful lives. We had a major victory last week, we've got tremendous momentum, and we're going to keep working hard until this bill gets done." Sen. Blunt said: "This is an important step forward as we work to fix America's mental health policies. We've got a model that works to solve these important problems. It's time for Congress to act." Faustino Venzor, who is living with mental illness and receiving treatment, said: "I have struggled with manic depression for most of my life, and I experienced an acute psychiatric crisis in 2001. I was saved that day that by quick action taken by my mother and by a community clinic where I was taken to receive treatment. Today, I am grateful to be in recovery, I have a loving wife and a baby on the way, and I've been admitted to Columbia University. I know firsthand the difference that intensive community-based services can make in the lives of people with serious mental illness, which is why I support the Excellence in Mental Health Act." Linda Rosenberg, President/CEO of National Council for Behavioral Health, said: "Reducing the stigma around mental illness and engaging with those living with mental health issues can increase the likelihood we may be able to help get people proper treatment. This legislation can help people overcome barriers and connect them to the care they need. Passing this legislation is one of our organization's top priorities." Justin Constantine, Board Member, Wounded Warriors Project and Iraq Veteran, said: "Within our military and our American society at large, it is critical that we reduce the stigma attached to seeking behavioral health care. Seeking the help you need and deserve is a sign of strength, not weakness, and shows maturity and confidence. Making mental health care options available on a larger scale is a huge step in the right direction. The bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health Act does just that by expanding access and improving the quality of care." Alexander Nicholson, Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said: "This important legislation will further expand efforts to connect more veterans to mental health resources. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America stands with Senators Stabenow and Blunt in their effort to make sure that veterans, and all Americans living with mental illness, can get access to the treatment they need." Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, Founder and President, Give An Hour, said: "We know that hundreds of thousands of the men and women who have served our country during the past decade of war will come home with invisible injuries such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. We also know that one size doesn't fit all with respect to where those in need choose to seek treatment for these injuries. Some of our veterans will seek care through the Department of Veterans Affairs but others will prefer to see a community provider through organizations like Give an Hour or at their local community mental health center. Through the Excellence in Mental Health Act we will help to ensure that our Community Mental Health Centers are able to meet the needs of those who serve and their families." Sheriff Mike Chapman, Loudon County, VA, said: "Individuals living with serious mental health conditions often lack access to care and, as sheriffs know all too well, the results can be tragic. In too many cases, local law enforcement officers are diverted from other duties to respond to psychiatric emergencies. Too many people end up in jail because of a lack of access to the treatment they need. This bill offers local law enforcement agencies better community resources to help people get proper care." The Excellence in Mental Health Act establishes criteria for certified community behavioral health clinics to ensure the providers cover a broad range of mental health services - including 24-hour psychiatric care, increased integration of physical, mental and substance abuse treatment so they are treated simultaneously rather than separately, and expanded support for families of people living with mental health issues. Certified clinics providing this care could then get reimbursed from the government the same way that traditional health centers can-taking another major stride in the effort to provide mental health parity. The Excellence in Mental Health Act is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators including Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Jack Reed (D-RI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The proposal is supported by over 50 mental health organizations, veterans' organizations and law enforcement organizations including: the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Sheriffs' Association, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Council for Behavioral Healthcare, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health America, National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Give An Hour, among many others. More information on the Excellence in Mental Health Act is below. Excellence in Mental Health Act • The bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health Act proposal from Senators Stabenow and Blunt will improve quality and expand access to mental health care through community mental health providers. • It will provide the final step toward mental health parity so we are paying for mental health services in the community the same way we are paying for primary care services. Summary • The proposal would establish a 10-state demonstration program where states that participate would certify that community mental health providers meet new high standards and offer a broad range of mental health services like 24-hour psychiatric care services. • Those services can then be adequately reimbursed under Medicaid just as Federally Qualified Community Health Centers are reimbursed for comprehensive primary care services. • It also requires more coordination between community mental health providers and other healthcare providers including VA clinics. • CBO estimates this proposal would cost $1.6 billion over 10 years. Access to Mental Health Treatment Must be Expanded • Less than half of those with mental health disorders receive treatment of any kind in a given year. • 22 Veterans a day commit suicide. With at least 25% of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan experiencing some type of mental health condition, it is even more urgent that comprehensive services be available in communities across our country. • Individuals with a mental illness are more likely to be victims of a violent crime than to commit one. However, if someone does not receive treatment after experiencing their first psychotic episode they are 15 times more likely to commit acts of violence than if they receive treatment. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |