Improve Mental Health Care During Mental Health Month
Our
country is facing unprecedented numbers of people experiencing symptoms of
mental health conditions as well as people with mental illness whose symptoms
are worsening. But people are struggling to find mental health professionals who
take their health insurance when they need help.
Unfortunately,
some health plans – including Medicare – don’t cover care from certain types of
mental health professionals. That’s why your members of Congress need to hear
from you about two important bills that can help change this.
The
Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828/H.R. 432) and the Promoting
Effective and Empowering Recovery Services in Medicare (PEERS) Act (S.
2144/H.R. 2767) would allow people covered by Medicare to get help
from marriage and family therapists, licensed mental health counselors, or peer
support specialists. Millions of people are covered by Medicare, including
people over the age of 65 and certain younger individuals with disabilities
like mental health conditions. They need access to a sufficient mental health
workforce.
These
bills would increase the Medicare workforce by over 225,000 mental health
providers – helping more people access services in their community. Ask your
members of Congress to support passage of the Mental Health Access Improvement
Act and the PEERS Act TODAY.
Want to
get more attention from your member of Congress’ office?
Customize the message to share a time when it was hard for you to find a mental
health professional when you needed help.