Urge Your Senators to Cosponsor the Mental Health Access Improvement Act
Advocacy Alert
Do you believe older adults and individuals with disabilities should have easier access to mental health services? (We certainly do).
Currently, marriage and family therapists and licensed mental health counselors are not eligible Medicare providers, despite the important role they play in delivering treatment, recovery, and prevention services.
However, there is new legislation to change that – and it needs your support!
On March 18, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) reintroduced the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828). This legislation would allow marriage and family therapists and licensed mental health counselors to participate in the Medicare program, dramatically expanding access to care for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
This simple change would immediately increase patients’ access to needed care, particularly in underserved communities, rural areas, and areas with a mental health workforce shortage.
Thank you to those of you who already took action to ask your Representatives to cosponsor the House version.
Sincerely,
Chuck Ingoglia
President and CEO
National Council for Behavioral Health
