Today, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) and the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which would start to reform the nation’s broken mental health system.

“With more than 11 million Americans experiencing mental health issues, it is unacceptable to not provide these individuals with proper treatment,” Luetkemeyer said. “After years of holding hearings and listening to expert witnesses, this comprehensive legislation addresses and fixes the antiquated programs and ineffective polices across numerous agencies. Addressing the mental health crisis in our nation is not a partisan issue. I am incredibly pleased to see this legislation pass the House and it is my hope the Senate takes this bill to the floor swiftly.”

H.R. 2646 establishes a new Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to run the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency and help coordinate mental health programs across the federal government. It also creates a National Mental Health and Substance Abuse Lab to drive evidence-based grants, and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to undertake rulemaking to clarify when communication can take place under HIPAA to help ensure the best communication among providers, families, and patients.

Luetkemeyer is a cosponsor of H.R. 2646.