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.
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. 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.
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.
In Congress, 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.
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 with their daughter, Bevin, who currently attends college. The Murphy family attends St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Bethel Park.
