Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bill To Overhaul Mental Health System Introduced By Bipartisan Senate Pair
The Hill: Senators Unveil Bipartisan Mental Health Bill
Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced a bipartisan mental health reform bill on Tuesday. The measure is partly intended as a response to mass gun shootings in each senator’s state that were carried out by people with mental health issues. (Sullivan, 8/4)
The Connecticut Mirror: Murphy Presses For Mental Health Overhaul
Sen. Chris Murphy has teamed up with a Republican colleague from Louisiana to press for an overhaul of the nation’s mental health system at a time when Congress – stung by a rash of mass shootings by mentally unstable people – may be willing to consider changes. (Radelat, 8/4)
In other Capitol Hill news -
The Kansas Health Institute: More Debate Ahead On Medicare 'Observation' Stays
A bill headed to President Barack Obama’s desk will require hospitals to notify Medicare patients if they were admitted or only kept under observation. But advocates for hospitals and nursing homes say there’s more work to be done on Medicare regulations that tie patients’ hospitalization status to reimbursements for skilled nursing care afterward. (Marso, 8/4)
