Senators push bill for depression studies

The ENHANCED Act, which was drafted to aid the study and treatment of depression and bipolar disorders, could benefit the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Psychiatry and the Lindner Center of HOPE.

The legislation, which was recently introduced in the Senate, would appropriate funds to recognized “centers of excellence” was officially introduced in the Senate on Oct. 22, by Sen. Debbie Stabenow with colleagues George Voinovich, Sherrod Brown, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Carl Levin and John Kerry.

As a charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC), UC Psychiatry and the Lindner Center of HOPE would be included in the “centers of excellence.” The bill would allow the centers of excellence to compete for available funding on a national level.

Depression and bipolar conditions have significant, negative effects on society and are estimated to cost the U.S. economy $83.1 billion annually. In addition, approximately one in five Americans suffer from at least one mood disorder.

Stabenow discussed the importance and described the implications of this bill.

“Depression and bipolar disorders affect one of every five people in the United States,” Stabenow said. “This bill will establish a network of national centers of excellence for the treatment of these disabling conditions.”

UC Psychiatry and the Lindner Center have a formal partnership in terms of both funding and staff.

“Both UC Psychiatry and the Lindner Center function as two separate arms of an organization working toward similar goals,” said Jennifer Pierson, spokeswoman for the Lindner Center.

Together they are part of the NNDC, which is modeled after the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Strakowski said.

Its creation was authorized by Congress in the National Cancer Act of 1937, according to the NNDC Web site.

NCI developed with the goal of establishing a network of prominent cancer research and treatment institutions so that every citizen would live within 200 miles of a cancer center.

The NCI brought attention and funding to support cancer research as well as eliminating the stigma that was associated with the illness at the time. The NNDC and the UC Department of Psychiatry also have this goal in mind.

“There is a stigma associated with depression and bipolar disorders in this country, which prevents many people from receiving treatment,” said
Dr. Stephen Strakowski, chairman of UC Psychiatry. “This is a major problem, and a main goal for everyone involved in the treatment of these disorders is to have this stigma removed.”

Stabenow echoed the sentiments.

“This bill would provide public and professional education aimed at
eradicating the stigma associated with depressive and bipolar disorders,” Stabenow said.

It will still be some time before the act could be signed into law. It has only been formally introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Strakowski is optimistic and hopeful about its chances in Congress.

“There is clear bipartisan support and some bigger players involved in this bill which, makes us hopeful for its passage,” Strakowski said. “As a lofty goal, we would ultimately like for [the ENHANCED Act] to be included as an amendment in the major health care reform bill that is moving through Congress.”

Becoming an amendment would move up the timetable for provided funds as congress moves closer toward finalizing a piece of health care reform legislation.

“The ENHANCED Act is a major opportunity,” Strakowski said. “We are helping any way we can to see that this bill is passed.”