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Sen. Blunt urges Congress to pass mental health legislation by year’s end

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Senator Roy Blunt is urging Congress to pass a bill that would expand treatment and services for people with mental illnesses. He says work continues to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and hopes this bill will get people to start talking about the problems associated with mental health, as well as the solutions that are out there.

blunt with Glenn CloseBlunt’s amendment to the so-called “doc-fix” legislation would set up programs to expand access to mental care.
Blunt says ending the stigma associated with mental care and have open discussions about mental illnesses needs to happen in order to get people the help they need. He says the legislation would also bolster 24-hour crisis care, pair mental and substance abuse treatment, and expand support for families of those with mental health issues.

“Approximately one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder each year nationwide, according to the National Institute of Mental Health,” Blunt said. “We’ve got a model that works to solve these important problems, and passing this bipartisan provision out of committee is an important step forward. Now is the time for Congress to act.”

Glenn Close said, “It is critical that people come out and talk about mental illness to reduce the stigma surrounding those living with mental illness. This legislation is so important in the effort to expand access to mental health services and improve the quality of treatment available. With reduced stigma and discrimination, and increased access to quality care, people living with mental illness can get the treatment they need.”

In addition to Blunt and Stabenow, the Excellence in Mental Health Act is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators including U.S. Senators Mark Begich (Alaska), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Susan Collins (Maine), Chris Coons (Del.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Robert Menendez (N.J.), Barbara Mikulski (Md.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Chris Murphy (Conn.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), Jack Reed (R.I.), Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), and Ron Wyden (Ore.).

Blunt says more than 50 mental health organizations support the Excellence in Mental Health Act, as do veterans organizations and law enforcement organizations.

 

MO Food Bank Association fears impact of food stamp program reductions

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The state’s Food Bank Association says possible cuts to food stamps could tip the balance for its members, already struggling to meet demand.

The Missouri Food Bank Association is concerned about meeting demand if Congress votes to cut the food stamp program.

The Missouri Food Bank Association is concerned about meeting demand if Congress votes to cut the food stamp program.

U.S. House Republicans say the food stamp program has grown too large, outpacing other safety net programs, and led the House vote to cut it by $39-million. The Senate voted for a $4.5-million reduction.

Missouri Food Bank Association Director Scott Baker says a reduction now would come at a bad time, but he hopes the Senate position is adopted. He says the House position goes too far.

“The recession is such that it’s hard to find enough work, it’s hard to get enough income to meet the needs of your family … and especially that’s the case right now in Missouri.”

More than 437,000 Missouri households utilize food stamps. Baker says those who lose that support will have to look elsewhere.

“The first place they’ll look is the local food bank or food pantry, and the non-profit safety net is not in a position to absorb that additional demand at this point.”

Baker says Missouri food banks could feel the impact of food stamp cuts as hard as their counterparts anywhere else in the nation.

“USDA just issued a report just within the last couple of weeks that shows the increase in food insecurity in Missouri is the largest rate of growth over the last ten years … so the demand has not rescinded over the last couple of years.”

Baker says a $39-million dollar reduction would translate to several million meals lost in Missouri alone.

“You’re really talking about an extra strain on the food pantry safety net, and we just don’t know where that food is supposed to come from.”

The House position is not expected to advance through the Senate and President Obama has threatened a veto to any cuts larger than that proposed by the Senate.