Earlier this year, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow introduced a bill proponents say would better serve Americans with mental disorders. Her "Excellence in Mental Health" measure would expand access to community mental health centers, in part by making more of them eligible for payments under Medicaid.Critics of current approaches to mental health often say the existing system is underfunded, fragmented and ineffective.
Despite support by both her fellow Democrats and Republican co-sponsor Roy Blunt of Missouri, Senator Stabenow’s ‘Excellence in Mental Health’ measure remains in committee.
Bob Sheehan, Executive Director of the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties, says this is Sen. Stabenow's third attempt to get the legislation passed in Washington.