US House has chance to improve mental health

I write to thank U.S. Rep. Denny Heck for co-sponsoring the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, HR 2646, now being considered in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This legislation would make available a number services available to individuals and families in mental health crisis. It would alter the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) by allowing a licensed mental health professional to share diagnosis of a patient with serious mental illness with an identified, responsible caregiver when this information is necessary to protect the individuals or the general public.

The legislation would also allow coordinating appointments for medical and mental health care by allowing billing of these appointments at the same clinic on the same day — currently prohibited by Medicaid.

The legislation will also provide a variety of grants aimed at improving care of those with mental illness including training and support for workers in the criminal justice system who often have major contact with persons with severe mental illness.

Legislation that affects the mental health care of our citizens must be revised and updated to enable the care to be provided efficiently and using evidence- based treatments, while respecting the rights of citizens. Changes need to be made in the current laws continuously when we find situations that inhibit the care rather than provide support for the appropriate care.

I encourage support for this legislation which has provisions in the right direction.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 8:54 AM with the headline "US House has chance to improve mental health."