Bill Text: MI HR0169 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to take actions necessary to help families enduring mental health crisis.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2016-03-22 - Adopted [HR0169 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-HR0169-Enrolled.html
Reps. Nesbitt, Heise, Hughes and LaVoy offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 169.
A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to take actions necessary to help families enduring mental health crisis.
Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental illness is defined as "health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired function." The National Institute of Mental Health states, "while mental disorders are common in the United States, the burden of illness is particularly concentrated among those who experience disability due to serious mental illness (SMI)"; and
Whereas, Laws, regulations, and misinterpretations frequently shut out families attempting to get effective and appropriate treatment for their loved ones in a mental health crisis. In a given year, approximately ten million Americans endure serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder. Approximately four million Americans battle with serious mental illness do not receive treatment in a given year; and
Whereas, Families struggling with mental illness must also grapple with the likelihood that their loved one will end up in jail or prison where there is virtually no mental health treatment. There are ten times more individuals with serious mental illness in jails and prisons than in state psychiatric hospitals. Moreover, federal laws and billing policies restrict the ability of persons on Medicaid to receive high-quality inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment; and
Whereas, Current spending needs to be more focused on the most effective services and most severe mental illnesses. Passage of federal legislation like the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 (H.R. 2646), sponsored by United States Congressman Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, would be a positive first step. The bill would create a new Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders to coordinate funding between agencies, collect increased data on treatment outcomes, and drive evidence-based care; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to take actions necessary to help families enduring mental health crisis; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
