On Thursday, a senior Republican congressman from the Sunshine State threw his support behind a proposal to expand mental health coverage for seniors under Medicare.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who sits on the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, announced he was cosponsoring the “Mental Health Access Improvement Act.”
Introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., at the end of January, the bill would include mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy in Medicare. U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-NY, is the main cosponsor on the Republican side. Buchanan becomes the third member of the Florida delegation behind the House bill, joining U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla.
Buchanan noted that around 200,000 therapists and counselors would be allowed to offer services under Medicare if the bill passes.
“Expanding access to mental health treatment is critical for improving health outcomes,” Buchanan said. “This commonsense legislation would increase Medicare’s availability of mental health providers throughout the nation. I urge the House and Senate to support America’s seniors and send this bill to the president’s desk.”
Buchanan pointed to a study from the Centers for Disease Control which found “an estimated 20 percent of Americans age 55 and older experience some kind of mental health concern.” The Florida congressman also noted the Health Resources and Services Administration found “that there are more than 5,000 Mental Health Professionals Shortage Areas throughout the U.S.”
“Currently, only psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatric nurses are eligible to provide mental health services under Medicare. While mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists hold commensurate training and education, they cannot be reimbursed by Medicare and thus their services are more costly and out of reach for many seniors. This legislation closes that loophole by expanding availability of these professionals to Medicare beneficiaries,” the congressman’s office noted.
Buchanan has the chance to advocate for the bill as it is before the Ways and Means Committee. It is also before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Over in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., introduced the companion bill and he has reeled in more than 15 sponsors.
