Press Releases

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after voting in support of The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. This landmark legislation reforms our nation’s broken mental health system and provides Medicaid patients with access to psychiatric hospitals like Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services:

“Our nation is facing a mental health crisis of astounding proportions. Each year, 350,000 Americans with a mental illness die prematurely despite the federal government spending $130 billion on mental health programs. Instead of helping those who cannot help themselves, outdated laws have forced those suffering with a mental illness into emergency rooms, prisons, and onto the streets.

“We can and we must do better. The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act offers real solutions for West Michigan families by empowering caregivers and driving evidence-based care. It also recognizes the affordable and effective specialized care offered by psychiatric hospitals like Pine Rest by making inpatient beds available to anyone facing an acute mental health crisis, regardless of their income.”

Pine Rest President and CEO Dr. Mark Eastberg praised Huizenga's support for this legislation and detailed the impact of this milestone mental health reform bill on the community.

"We are grateful for Congressman Huizenga's support for this legislation that will, among other benefits, allow freestanding psychiatric hospitals to permanently serve adults with Medicaid for short term crisis care," said Dr. Eastberg. "This updates a policy based on an antiquated, 1960s understanding of mental health care, and will ultimately lower cost and improve quality by giving Medicaid recipients and their families greater choice."

Click here to learn more about the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.