The House Energy and Commerce Committee will mark up a mental health reform bill this week that has struggled to find Democratic support and was last discussed in November.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), would create an assistant secretary position at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and aims to increase access to mental health services. But patient advocacy groups say its provisions to encourage assisted outpatient treatment and make changes to patient privacy laws would challenge the rights of those with severe mental illness.
The bill advanced from the Energy and Commerce health subcommittee on a mostly party line vote of 18-12. Some Democrats said Murphy has not been willing to negotiate with them.
Another reform bill sponsored by Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) with some of the same measures has made more progress in the Senate. That bill is ready for a full floor vote but has been dogged by disagreements over funding.
Some lawmakers and most advocates also say reform legislation should not address gun ownership. But Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) wants states to share more mental health records with the federal background check system. Opponents say Cornyn's bill, which is backed by the National Rifle Association, includes provisions that would make it easier for people with severe mental illness to get guns.
Time for action on either bill is running out. The House and Senate will break for summer next month and the presidential campaign will likely take center stage when lawmakers return.
