Rep. Murphy introduces bill to change mental health treatment

The legislation is a response to the shootings in Newtown, Conn., that killed 20 elementary students and six adults.

The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire: Rep. Tim Murphy Introduces Mental-Health Legislation
Rep. Tim Murphy (R., Pa.), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, introduced a wide-ranging mental health care bill that would change the way mental illness is treated. The "Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2013" is the result of a nearly year-long examination of the nation's mental health care system by the Pennsylvania psychologist and the subcommittee in the aftermath of last year's school shooting in Connecticut (Fields, 12/12). 

Kaiser Health News: Promises To Fix Mental Health System Still Unfulfilled
The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., one year ago sparked a national conversation about the country's troubled mental health system. Politicians convened task forces and promised additional funding and new laws. But despite those promises, one year later, patients and advocates say treatment for mental health is still in shambles (Gold, 12/13).

Meanwhile, in Connecticut -

The CT Mirror: 7 Ways Newtown Changed Connecticut's Mental Health System
State lawmakers made several changes to the system in a high-profile gun control, school safety and mental health law passed in April. Here's a look at what's changing: The state now tracks people who have voluntarily committed themselves and prohibits them from owning guns for 6 months.  (Becker, 12/12).