An association representing U.S. hospitals is urging lawmakers to enact legislation expanding mental health services while another group representing psychiatrists is giving a clean bill of health to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's plans for addressing the issue.

In a letter sent Monday to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the American Hospital Association urged Senate leaders to consider and pass Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act as soon as the chamber reconvenes this fall. The legislation, which cleared the House of Representatives earlier this year, would make several changes to strengthen mental health programs offered in the U.S.

"Unfortunately, weak enforcement of mental health parity laws, inadequate reimbursement and coverage of essential services, a declining number of inpatient psychiatric beds and the severe shortage of mental health professionals have led to a crisis point in behavioral health care," AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels said in the letter.

Passage of the legislation wouldn't solve all the problems facing the nation's mental health system, but it would "provide important reforms and a foundation on which future Congresses can build," Nickels added. http://bit.ly/2bTAoQf

Mental health also was the subject of a major policy proposal released Monday by Clinton's campaign. In a statement, the American Psychiatric Association said it liked most of what it heard, including a focus on early intervention efforts. At the very least, the group is happy the subject of mental health is being brought up in an election season.

"We welcome the attention Clinton is giving to mental health, an issue that affects Americans from all walks of life," APA President Maria Oquendo said. "Our mental health system needs to be discussed this election season. Americans deserve to know how the candidates plan to address this important issue." http://bit.ly/2bWml0y

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