Salinas Reintroduces Legislation to Provide Free Mental Health Visits for Americans
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), who serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, introduced the Helping Out Patients for Emotional (HOPE) and Mental Wellbeing Act. This legislation would provide three free behavioral health visits per year for individuals who are insured by Medicare or Medicaid. Rep. Salinas first introduced the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing in the 118th Congress.
“Mental health care is just as important as our physical health, but it is often overlooked – an unfortunate reality that has contributed to the mental health and addiction crisis we experience today,” said Rep. Salinas. “That is why I am proud to reintroduce the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act, a bill to provide three free mental or behavioral health visits per year for millions of seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income Americans. While this is not a comprehensive solution, it is a great first step that will encourage more people to seek care without having to worry about the price tag.”
It is estimated that 27 million Americans – or about half of all U.S. adults with a mental health disorder – do not seek treatment for their symptoms. At the same time, one in four American adults with frequent mental health distress cited cost as the reason they did not see a health provider.
The HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act would help address this problem by granting three mental or behavioral health care visits per year, at no cost sharing (no copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance), to beneficiaries in the Medicare (Parts B and C) and Medicaid programs. These visits could be used for outpatient mental or behavioral health services, non-specialty medical services, and care coordination services for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or management of a behavioral health condition.
In addition to Rep. Salinas, the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act is cosponsored by Reps. Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).
The legislation is endorsed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Alliance on Mental Illness-Oregon (NAMI-OR), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Psychological Association (APA) Services, American Counseling Association (ACA), and New Narrative.
“Each day, people across this nation forego mental health care because of high out-of-pocket costs,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “NAMI is proud to support Rep. Salinas’ Hope and Mental Wellbeing Act, which would allow Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries to access up to three behavioral health care visits a year without any cost sharing. This is a critical step to helping each person receive the care they need to get well and stay well.”
“The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) thanks Rep. Andrea Salinas for introducing the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act, which will allow Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to have three behavioral health care visits at no cost sharing. With our country’s continuing mental health and substance use epidemic, this legislation will help individuals access the critical clinical social work services that they need. Social workers stand with Rep. Salinas in her efforts to improve access to behavioral health care,” said Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
“APA applauds Congresswoman Salinas for introducing the Helping Out Patients for Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Act,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the American Psychological Association. “Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries need much better access to both primary care and behavioral health care services. Providing no-cost coverage for the first three visits a year to a mental health specialist or to a primary care provider will help keep people healthy and save money by avoiding unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations. Removing barriers to mental health specialists is particularly important for Medicare enrollees in rural areas, who are only half as likely to see a mental health specialist as those living in urban areas.”
“New Narrative deeply appreciates Congresswoman Salinas’ continued leadership in advancing mental health care. The reintroduction of the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act is a crucial step toward ensuring access to critical healthcare for Oregonians in need,” said Julie Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of New Narrative. “This legislation will help provide essential support for the most vulnerable populations we serve, bringing us closer to a system that truly prioritizes mental health recovery.”
To read the full text of this legislation, click here.
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