Lance Named 'Legislator of the Year' by National Mental Health Council

           Two weeks ago, Representative Lance re-presented the MODDERN Cures Act to push for a renovation of the healthcare in our rare/chronic disease department.  Even this past week, much of Lance’s activities continued to focus most on the MODDERN Cures Act.  Interestingly enough, on Monday Lance was awarded the ‘Legislator of the Year’ by the National Council for Behavioral Health, which seems to come at a very appropriate time with the healthcare bill he is looking to have passed.  The National Council for Behavioral Health is a group of over 2,000 behavioral health care organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illness and addiction disorders.  Their mission is to serve those that are most vulnerable in the U.S.-more than eight million adults and children that live with mental illnesses and addiction disorders (Mission and Leadership 2013).  The Council recognized the critical leadership role that Lance has taken in the fight for an improvement in the mental health community as well as the addiction treatment system in our nation.        

            It will be interesting to see if the current healthcare bill Lance is working on is indeed passed based on the press Lance is receiving from this award.  The legitimacy of the Council, as well as the more prevalent mental health issues in present day will definitely be beneficial to Lance.  I think that there will be a greater turnout of supporters for both Lance’s constituents as well as his bi-partisan colleagues in the House.  This extremely positive press for Lance will also show the great effect the media has on the decisions made in Congress as well.  He was presented with this award during a very formal ceremony on Capitol Hill during the annual conference that is held for all council members (National Mental Health Council Names Lance a ‘Legislator of the Year’ 2013). 

            To quote Lance in the remarks he gave upon his receiving of the Award: “I stand ready to work in a bipartisan capacity to achieve mental health parity in this country.  There are those who are suffering and need assistance.  The Congress and associations like the National Council for Behavioral Health can work together to provide the tools and funds to spark innovation.”  I think it is key to note here that not only does Lance recognize and pose that mental health is indeed a critical issue in our American culture, but he also touches on the fact that it is Congress’ duty (regardless of political party affiliation) that all institutions must work together to begin the process of revamping this sect of our healthcare system.  He is speaking directly to his constituents and fellow representatives in Congress, which is the support he needs for this future bill.         

Sources:

"Mission and Leadership." The National Council Mission and Leadership Comments. (2013). Web.

Patten, John. "National Mental Health Council Names Lance a 'Legislator of the Year'" (September 2013). Hillsborough Patch. Patch.

http://hillsborough.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/national-mental-health-council-names-lance-a-legislator-of-the-year