Mental Health Reforms in Cures Bill Long Overdue

In remarks on the Senate floor Thursday, I highlighted the importance of reforming our nation’s mental health system with provisions in the 21st Century Cures Act that the Senate will soon consider. The reforms are based in part on his Mental Health and Safe Communities Act. 

I spoke about the 21st Century Cures bill that the House passed by a very large margin last night, and I'm looking forward to taking that legislation up here in the Senate.

This represents the very first mental health reform in more than a decade, and it's high time to get it done.

With the mental health portion of the bill, we have two chief goals in mind: one, to help those who are mentally-ill get the treatment they need, and secondly, to help law enforcement and first responders know how to respond to a potential mental health crisis in order to keep the person they're responding to safe as well as the first responders themselves.

People need help, and the mental health system needs reform. And that's why we need to pass the 21st Century Cures bill for all the good it will do in addition to these important reforms in dealing with mental health challenges around the country. So I look forward to finishing the job next week and sending it to the President's desk.