Political Quotes

“Another preventable tragedy: a young man searching for psychiatric help is turned away. According to news reports, just 24 hours before this deadly incident, the young man underwent an emergency psychiatric evaluation but could not get the inpatient treatment he so desperately needed. His story ended like too many others suffering from serious illness--in a violent death. Why did the system fail him? One, there were no psychiatric beds available. In 1955, there were 550,000 beds; today, there are fewer than 40,000. Two, the standard to make sure a mentally ill person gets treatment is unworkable. Three, Federal laws like HIPAA and FERPA prevent information from being shared. I am introducing legislation next month to fix the problems that have plagued the Nation's mental health system for decades. It will increase inpatient options and make sure people get the treatment they need. We have to advance this so we have a key to unlock the door. I ask my colleagues to join me in working for these mental health reforms so that families can share the joy of recovery instead of the sadness of loss. ____________________”