Dear Friend, 

Across Minnesota, our cities and counties are struggling to meet the demand for mental health services. In fact, 80% of Minnesota counties are currently experiencing a mental health care shortage. Meanwhile, more patients in need are ending up in emergency rooms, homeless shelters, or even behind bars.

Watch: Congressman Emmer talks about addressing our mental health crisis on GMA3

Last week, during a House Financial Services Committee hearing, we spoke directly with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge about this problem and our common-sense solution to address it.

Watch: Congressman Emmer questions HUD Secretary Fudge on psychiatric bed shortages

The Securing Facilities for Mental Health Services Act is a nonpartisan bill aimed at alleviating the inpatient bed shortage currently plaguing mental health care facilities across the country. You can read more about our legislation here.  

During the hearing, I pressed Secretary Fudge on the work her agency has done to address this national crisis and she agreed: we must enable the construction of new mental health care facilities. With the support of Secretary Fudge, we are one step closer to getting patients in crisis the care they need.

Just like any other medical condition, mental illness can be treated. We just need the facilities to give patients the care they deserve.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,