Senate Finance Committee releases draft mental health legislation

Sep 22, 2022 - 04:03 PM
capitol hill 900x400

The Senate Finance Committee today released a discussion draft of legislation to expand the mental health workforce. According to a summary of the provisions, the discussion draft includes policies that would:

•    Add 400 new Medicare-funded residency positions to teaching hospitals for training new physicians in psychiatry and psychiatry subspecialties.
•    Cover mental health services provided by marriage and family therapists and licensed professional counselors under Medicare Part B.
•    Expand access to certain clinical social worker services under Medicare.
•    Expand Medicare's Health Professional Shortage Area bonus program to attract more mental health care providers to shortage areas.
•    Create a Medicaid demonstration to increase behavioral health provider capacity.
•    Require Medicaid to issue guidance to states on increasing the mental health workforce. 
•    Modify Medicare’s direct supervision requirements to make it easier for patients to see psychologist trainees.

The House Ways and Means Committee yesterday voted to advance five mental health packages to the full House.  

Related News Articles

Headline
CMS, FDA announce pathway to expedite access to certain medical devices for Medicare beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration April 23 announced a new pathway to expedite access to certain FDA-…
Blog
Why Paragon Gets Hospitals Wrong: Report Ignores Reality of Care Delivery
Public
In think‑tank reports, like the one released this week by Paragon Health Institute, hospitals are often reduced to abstractions — payment rates, charts,…
Headline
Senate adopts budget resolution, sets up path for narrow reconciliation bill
The Senate April 23 adopted a budget resolution by a 50-48 vote, paving the way for a narrow reconciliation bill focused on immigration enforcement funding.…
Headline
DOJ updates Title II web, app nondiscrimination rule timelines for state and local governments; HHS Section 504 rules remain unchanged
As published April 20, the Department of Justice released an interim final rule in the Federal Register to delay compliance dates for states and local…
Headline
AHA releases Q1 2026 Health Care Plan Accountability Update
The AHA today released its Health Care Plan Accountability Update, covering the latest developments in Medicare Advantage, legislation and…
Headline
UnitedHealth to expand rural payment acceleration pilot program
UnitedHealth Group announced plans to expand its Rural Payment Acceleration Pilot to reduce Medicare Advantage payment processing times for…