Bill will expand access to mental health services for our nation’s seniors.
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 1830). The bill would allow America’s seniors access to marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and licensed professional counselors (LPCs) through Medicare. By providing these mental health professionals the opportunity to participate in the Medicare program, this bill expands the number of mental health providers available to our nation’s seniors.
“As a doctor, I know firsthand how important it is for patients to have access to mental health services,” said Barrasso. “In Wyoming, long distances and bad weather can make it hard to receive quality care. Our rural communities also face challenges in recruiting and retaining providers – particularly mental health professionals. Our bill addresses this by giving Medicare patients greater access to mental health services closer to home.”
“Our seniors deserve the best when it comes to receiving mental health care services,” said Stabenow. “This bill is an important step in expanding access to counseling services that will give seniors the resources and therapy they need, when they need it.”
In the United States alone, 20 percent of individuals aged 55 and older experience some type of mental health concern. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there are approximately 4,000 Mental Health Professionals Shortage Areas in the United States, and half of all counties in the U.S. have no practicing psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers. Seniors in rural communities are the most adversely affected by these shortage areas.
The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act lifts restrictions on certain mental health professionals that bar them from billing Medicare. This will increase access to existing mental health professionals and allow them to treat America’s seniors.
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