Senate Approves Landmark Mental Health Bill But Might Be Ineffective If Republicans Repeal The Affordable Care Act?

It took almost 10 years to pass the very first  21st Century Cures Act as approved by the Senate which is subject to President Barack Obama's signature. It glides through the House of Representatives last week. after the 94 to 5 senate votes. It is basically designed to speed up drug development - but it has specific mental health care provisions for millions of Americans and to those affected by "Opioid epidemic".

Fatal overdoses of illicit opioids surged in 2015 as announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced. The epidemic went from bad to worse, says CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden. Prescription and heroin misuse and the use of illicitly manufactured fentanyl are enough warnings to do something quickly, as published by CNN.

The bill will put mental and physical health care be equally treated that allow grants to hire more psychologists and psychiatrists, who are decreasing in number today in America . Sen. Bill Cassidy's mental health bill was incorporated into the 21st Century Cures Act. 

Lives affected by serious mental illness and addiction can now be improved with the facilities, services, and resources made available by the bill. Murphy is relieved not to witness heartbreaks and frustrations anymore from families caring for a loved one suffering with mental conditions  that are not only difficult to find an effective cure but also expensive to maintain.

However, there's only one hindrance left.  Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., expresses his concern that the proposed changes to the health care system by the Republicans could slow down or halt any progress made by the bill. Millions of Americans who are mentally ill could lose coverage if Congress decides to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Spending cuts on Medicaid, that pays for around 25 percent of all mental health care and also affect the provision.

Pallone reiterated in a statement that if the radical plans of the Republicans will push through, the benefits of the mental health bill will be totally outweighed by the catastrophic harm. For now, many mental health advocates are happy and contented with the bill's passage, according to Kaiser Health News.