[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 178 (Thursday, December 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    INTRODUCTION OF THE ENHANCED ACT

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                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2009

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, depression and bipolar disorders affect 
one in five people and are the leading cause of disability among 
individuals between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States. The 
economic burden of depression is estimated at $83.1 billion each year. 
With medication, psychotherapy, or combined treatment, most people with 
mood disorders can be effectively treated and resume productive lives. 
Yet, one-third of those suffering from depression--nearly five million 
Americans--do not receive the necessary treatment.
  For these reasons, I am proud to introduce the Establishing a Network 
of Health-Advancing National Centers of Excellence for Depression Act 
of 2009 (the ENHANCED Act) with my colleague, Representative Tim Murphy 
(R-PA). This legislation would establish national centers of excellence 
for the treatment of depressive and bipolar disorders. Currently, 
clinicians lack universally accepted multi-disciplinary approaches and 
real-time clinical and care management guidelines they need. As a 
result, about 50 percent of the time the diagnoses of depression and 
bipolar are missed. Better diagnostic approaches are needed in primary 
care, other medical settings, and mental health programs.
  To combat this, the ENHANCED Act would create a national network with 
a pathway for developing and expanding up to 30 depression centers of 
excellence to increase access to the most appropriate and evidence-
based depression care. This concept is based on work done informally by 
16 academic research institutions across the Nation that have joined 
together to create a network of depression centers that take academic 
research and translate it into practice, standardize diagnoses, treat 
early and more effectively, and prevent recurrences of depression and 
bipolar disorders, as well as eradicate the stigma associated with 
these diseases. These centers will develop and disseminate evidence-
based treatment standards, clinical guidelines, and protocols to 
improve accurate and timely diagnosis of depression and bipolar 
disorders.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the passage of 
this critical legislation.

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