Dem pushes bill after Capitol Hill shooting

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) is urging Congress to pass her mental health reform bill after a woman reportedly suffering from schizophrenia was killed on Capitol Hill.

Stabenow called for attention to her Excellence in Mental Health Act, which would expand access to mental healthcare and standardize available services, as details emerged about Thursday’s lethal confrontation.

{mosads}A 34-year-old Connecticut woman was shot outside of Hart Senate Office Building after slamming barricades at the White House and trying to evade police in a high-speed chase.

The woman, identified as Miriam Carey, apparently suffered from mental health issues and believed President Obama was monitoring her. Medications for schizophrenia were reportedly found in her home.

Stabenow called Carey’s death “another extremely unfortunate and potentially preventable incident … involving someone suffering with severe mental illness.”

The Michigan Democrat alluded to three other violent episodes — the mass shootings in Aurora, Colo., Newtown, Conn., and Washington, D.C.’s Navy Yard — in a statement.

Each of the shooters suffered from psychological issues, according to reports.

“After each one of these tragedies, everyone talks about improving mental health services in America.  It’s time to finally take action to do that,” Stabenow said.

The measure has 20 bipartisan cosponsors and would allow behavioral health services to be reimbursed through Medicaid.

The unarmed Carey died from police gunfire Thursday after the car chase in downtown Washington. Officers said the shooting was justified because Carey was using her car as a weapon.