Mental health reform bill heads to Senate, still without funding

A Senate committee easily passed a mental health reform bill along with four smaller measures addressing prescription drug abuse Wednesday, but funding for implementing the programs remains elusive. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee advanced theMental Health Reform Act, which updates state block grants, encourages the use of evidence-based practices to treat mental illness and works to improve access to such services. It also creates a new administrative position at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and clarifies privacy laws so that caregivers and parents can receive information about the treatment of children and young adults. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said he is glad to see the bill moving to the Senate floor, even though the committee doesn't have the jurisdiction over funding it. He said he hopes the parties can continue to work together to find resources to address the lack of patient capacity.