Advocates Stop Graham–Cassidy Bill’s Momentum

Sep 26, 2017

Thank you for answering the call, time and again, to defend all people affected by mental illness.

We know it’s been a long year for mental health advocates. And, once again you fought back against a bill that would hurt millions of Americans with mental illness—and won.

On Tuesday, Sept. 26, Senate leadership announced that the Graham-Cassidy bill would not be voted on. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)—and their Democratic colleagues—publicly opposed the Graham-Cassidy bill, making it impossible to reach the 51 votes needed to pass.

This bill would have:

• Allowed states to change the rules so health plans don’t have to cover mental health care.
• Slashed billions from Medicaid funding, which would make it harder for people to get local mental health services.
• Ended the Medicaid expansion that covers adults with mental health and substance use conditions who don’t usually qualify for Medicaid.
• Cut financial assistance to buy health insurance, making mental health coverage unaffordable for many.

We won because of advocates like you. You called, tweeted, emailed and talked with your members of Congress about the importance of protecting mental health care.

Thank you for your tireless dedication to the mental health movement.