Murphy Urges Rules Committee Not to End Life Saving Mental Health Medications

Statement

Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) today offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2016 that would allow service members to maintain access to all mental health medications deemed necessary by a physician. Appearing before the House Rules Committee, Murphy argued a joint formulary between the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Administration (VA) is not sufficient for the more than 600,000 veterans who deal with posttraumatic stress.

"Delays in treating posttraumatic stress are a matter of life and death. The DoD and VA would never deny the best prosthetic limb to a veteran; however both agencies continue to limit medicine available to help heal invisible injuries. This amendment ensures seamless continuity of care for lifesaving, effective medicines and makes sure physicians can access the full spectrum of choices-- not to be told by an accountant a crucial drug can't be prescribed. A person's reaction to psychotropic drugs is individualized. Some of these medications can result in adverse side effects to different patients with the same diagnosis. This is why a single medication is not the solution for every service member with posttraumatic stress. As 22 veterans die by suicide every day, our nation's heroes don't have the privilege of time to wait."

The amendment is supported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Earlier this month Rep. Murphy introduced the bipartisan Enhancing Veterans Access to Treatment Act, legislation that eliminates bureaucratic hurdles so veterans using VA care can continue to receive the same lifesaving mental health medication they accessed while on active-duty. The EVAT Act, cosponsored by 21 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle (12 Republicans, 9 Democrats), is endorsed by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Armed Forces Foundation, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Council on Behavioral Health and One Mind For Research.

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