Tim Murphy (R-PA-18)

Tim Murphy Congressman Pennsylvania District 18

Campaign links: Tim Murphy (R-PA-18)i

Tim Murphy Congressional Candidate Pennsylvania District 18

Tim Murphy Biography from House.gov

In January 2011 Congressman Tim Murphy began serving his fifth term in Congress representing the 18th District of Pennsylvania, encompassing the South Hills of Pittsburgh and portions of Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Congressman Murphy relies on his three decades as a psychologist to advocate for meaningful reforms in the U.S. healthcare system. As one of only a handful of members of Congress with a background in healthcare, Tim quickly established himself as a leader on the issue. He is Co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus and GOP Doctors Caucus, giving him a platform to educate other members of Congress and the public on ways to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all families.

Representing Southwestern Pennsylvania, a world leader in the research, development, and transmission of energy, Congressman Murphy is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment and Economy. He sits on two additional subcommittees: Health and Oversight and Investigations. Congressman Murphy also founded the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus to educate and formulate policies focused on the environmentally-friendly, responsible production of natural gas to help meet the country’s energy needs. Representative Murphy has also been appointed the Chair of the Congressional Steel Caucus. In June 2011, Congressman Murphy was appointed to the Speaker’s Select Task Force on Cybersecurity, which was tasked with making recommendations on cybersecurity authorities, information-sharing and public-private partnerships, critical infrastructure, and domestic legal frameworks.

Legislation accomplishments include authoring the Seniors Access to Mental Health Act, which ended the discriminatory practice of charging higher co-pays to seniors on Medicare seeking mental healthcare. The legislation became federal law as part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act on July 15, 2008.

He also introduced the Mental Health Security for American Families in Education Act and passed legislation into law to get college students suffering from depression or other mental illnesses the help they need before tragedy strikes.

Congressman Murphy also introduced the Pipeline Safety Emergency Notification Act, better known as “Marc and Chelsea’s Law,” which has improved community emergency notification procedures when a gas pipeline is ruptured.

Before coming to Congress, Congressman Murphy served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1997-2002. There he penned the state’s historic Patient Bill of Rights and increased funding for medical research, while consistently supporting responsible fiscal management of government to promote job creation and reduce the tax burden on families.

Congressman Murphy also serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps, working with wounded warriors with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

He and his wife Nan now reside in Upper St. Clair with their daughter, Bevin. They attend St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Bethel Park.

He earned a bachelors degree from Wheeling Jesuit University, a master’s degree from Cleveland State University, and his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.

Biography of Tim Murphy from Tim Murphy for Congress

Tim Murphy has devoted his entire career to making a difference in the lives of families and children, leading the fight for reform, first in Harrisburg, and now in Washington, DC. He is serving his fifth term representing the 18th Congressional District, located in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Up-Bringing and Education

One of eleven brothers and sisters, Tim watched his parents struggle to provide for their children. He learned first-hand the many blessings of family, the importance of education, and the value of hard work and opportunity. His early jobs ranged from cleaning horse stalls, bailing hay, and making mail pouch tobacco. He paid his own way through college and graduate school, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Wheeling Jesuit University, a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Cleveland State University, and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. He worked at several Western Pennsylvania hospitals (Children’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Magee Women’s Hospital), consulted for many Western Pennsylvania schools, and established his own private practice.

Professional Career Helping Children

The author of two books, Tim is widely known both for his award-winning book, “The Angry Child,” and his many appearances as “Doctor Tim” on local and national radio and television shows. For the Allegheny County Courts, Tim evaluated child abuse cases. After counseling numerous children and families struggling with the aftermath of abuse, Tim committed his life to helping children. In addition to his work in Congress, Tim currently holds two Adjunct Associate Professorships (in Pediatrics, and in Public Health) at the University of Pittsburgh for which he accepts no pay.

Pennsylvania State Senate

From 1996 to 2002, Tim served in the Pennsylvania State Senate. There, he was a fierce and effective leader in the health care reform movement, working to increase funding for medical research and writing Pennsylvania’s historic Patients’ Bill of Rights. As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aging and Youth, he strengthened Pennsylvania’s prescription drug program for seniors.

United States Congress

After his election to Congress in 2002, Tim once again became an advocate for health care reform. As one of the few health care professionals in the House, he was a leader in the successful fight to protect Pennsylvania’s unique PACE benefits from potentially catastrophic changes required under the new Medicare Part D program. The result? Pennsylvania’s seniors enjoy one of the finest prescription drug benefits in the nation, and this vital program receives an additional $180 million per year in critical funding.

As Co-Chair of both the Congressional 21st Century Health Care Caucus and the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Tim is producing real changes and helping to bring affordable, accessible health care to families. His efforts have increased the number of doctors at community health centers, eliminated health-care-acquired infections, decreased Medicare costs, and cut waste, fraud, and abuse from Medicaid health coverage for seniors.

Tim has a successful record of bringing business and community leaders together, promoting new jobs, and producing economic growth for Western Pennsylvania. He’s supported lower taxes for Pennsylvania families, promoted a balanced budget, and worked to improve benefits for veterans, military personnel, and their families. In the Congress, Tim serves on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee where he’s recognized as a leading reformer and an advocate for bipartisan solutions to America’s challenges.

U.S. Naval Reserve

Congressman Murphy is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves Medical Service Corps working on wounded warriors cases with traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Personal Life

Tim is a member of the Rotary Club, Sons of the American Legion, and several area chambers of commerce. He’s an active participant in Habitat for Humanity and an advocate for the Rails to Trails program. Tim has served on the boards of the Western PA Historical Society, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, and the National Aviary. He also loves music and plays guitar.

Tim and his wife, Nan, live in Upper St. Clair and have a daughter, Bevin. The Murphy family attends St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Bethel Park.