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Murphy on CNN: Families 'Need Action Now' on HR 2646

10/2/15

For Immediate Release: October 2, 2015
Contact: Gretchen Andersen 202.225.2301

(Washington D.C.) – Congressman Tim Murphy expressed his frustration regarding Congress foot-dragging on his bipartisan Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, H.R. 2646, on CNN’s New Day this morning following yesterday’s tragedy in Roseburg, Oregon when a gunman opened fire at Umpqua Community College killing at least nine people and wounding several others. Watch the interview here.

The interview arrived one day after more than 20 organizations in the mental health and substance abuse community sent a letter to House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton and Ranking Member Frank Pallone urging the committee to undertake and markup meaningful mental health reform legislation. H.R. 2646 currently boasts 128 cosponsors and endorsements from newspaper editors, physicians, and parents of children with mental illness. 
 

“We have a federal system more interested in protecting people's rights to be sick than their rights to be well," said Murphy. "We have a criminal justice system more interested in putting people in prison than giving them hospital beds. We don't have enough providers or places for care. We spend and waste billions on absurd programs like making collages and the buying paints and the having websites with the sing along songs and refuse to even acknowledge that schizophrenia and bipolar illness exists.”

Murphy continued, “Congress will probably have another moment of silence when we get back next week. And I, like many Americans, will be sitting there extremely frustrated saying we don't need silence. We need action. And if Americans want to do anything, they ought to pick up a pen or go to a computer or pick up their phone and call congress and say move this comprehensive mental health legislation, H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. Because once again Congress will say, ‘you know, we've got other priorities to work on.’ And again I put blame on both sides of the aisle. Leadership from top to bottom who push this aside. These family, these victims, they are hurting. They are in pain for the rest of their lives. They don't want people talking about the compromise and putting this off. They need action now.” 
 

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In his seventh term representing Pennsylvania’s 18th congressional district encompassing suburban Pittsburgh including parts of Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland and Greene Counties, Rep. Tim Murphy also serves as a Commander in the Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps as a psychologist treating Wounded Warriors with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

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    helpWithFedAgencyAddress District Office
    504 Washington Road
    Pittsburgh, PA 15228    		  
    district 18th District of Pennsylvania  
    academyUSCitizenDate July 1, 2012  
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