U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Chris Coons introduced bipartisan legislation on Mar. 25 to support mental health service providers by increasing Medicare reimbursement rates for clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors.
The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act aims to address shortages of mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. The bill would raise Medicare payments for these providers from 75 percent to 85 percent of the Physician Fee Schedule amount, aligning their compensation with other mental health professionals.
“Rural communities in Wyoming and across the country often face the greatest shortage of mental health providers,” said Senator Barrasso. “As a doctor, I know firsthand how important it is to recruit and maintain quality mental health professionals. Our bill addresses these issues by ensuring mental health service providers are compensated fairly under Medicare. This will help expand access to mental health services and address workforce challenges in rural communities.”
Senator Coons said, “Mental health care is health care, and the professionals who provide that care deserve to be paid fairly for their work. This bipartisan bill will fix the harmful and longstanding practice of paying mental health care workers less than other providers, so we can keep and recruit more mental health care providers and make sure Americans get the care they need.”
The legislation has received endorsements from several organizations including the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Clinical Social Work Association, Centerstone, American Counseling Association (ACA), Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition, and National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Anthony Estreet of NASW said: “Providing adequate reimbursement for CSWs not only increases compensation that has remained stationary since the 1990s but ensures their ability to provide much-needed support… This legislation would help clinical social workers support those experiencing mental health crises without concern for reimbursement.”
Christine Michaels from AAMFT stated: “By increasing the Medicare reimbursement rates… this legislation will increase the number of Medicare-eligible behavioral health providers.” Hannah Wesolowski at NAMI added: “Ensuring providers are fairly compensated is critical… NAMI is proud to support this bipartisan legislation…” Kylie P. Dotson-Blake at NBCC called it an investment in “the mental health of America’s older adults.” Brian Banks at ACA said: “Increasing reimbursement rates would provide much-needed support… ensuring they are fairly compensated for the essential life-changing work they do every day.”
Communities across America continue facing shortages in behavioral healthcare staff—especially rural counties—according to data cited in the announcement. Currently about 40 percent of Americans live in areas with too few such professionals.
Senator Barrasso resides with his three children in Casper according to his official website. He chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Public Lands Subcommittee according to his official website.
Barrasso also supports policies promoting energy affordability as well as opportunities for Wyoming ranchers according to his official website. He operates offices throughout Wyoming including Casper, Cheyenne, Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan as well as Washington D.C., serving constituents statewide according to his official website.
He has been recognized as Wyoming Physician of the Year during his career as an orthopedic surgeon according to his official website, where he also served as president of Wyoming Medical Society.
Barrasso focuses on priorities such as economy development; energy; public lands; national parks; trade; while serving on key Senate committees according to his official website.
