Senators Introduce Mental Health Bill in Wake of Sandy Hook

A group of Senators from both sides of the aisle joined forces on Feb. 7 to introduce a mental health act as part of a broad approach to preventing another Aurora theater or Sandy Hook Elementary-style shooting.

The Excellence in Mental Health Act, as it’s called, “would expand access to federally qualified mental health centers and order the facilities to offer a standard range of services, including 24-hour crisis care.”

The centers would be able to bill Medicaid to recoup costs.

Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said: “We have a moment that works, and a model that works. The time is right, and the model is right.”

Blunt is joined by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Barbara Boxer (D-Cal.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).