Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Congressman Paul Tonko introduced the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act on Mar. 26, a bipartisan bill aimed at supporting mental health providers and improving access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.
The legislation seeks to address shortages in the behavioral health workforce by increasing Medicare reimbursement rates for clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors from 75 percent to 85 percent of the Physician Fee Schedule amount. The proposed change is intended to help recruit and retain more providers, particularly in communities with persistent shortages.
Companion legislation is being led in the Senate by Senators Barrasso and Coons. Fitzpatrick said, “For too many Americans, the hardest part of seeking mental health care is discovering that help is not there when they reach for it. I have worked closely with providers, families, and community partners long enough to know that when we fail to support the mental health workforce, it is patients in their most vulnerable moments who bear the cost. This bipartisan legislation takes concrete action to strengthen that workforce, expand access for Medicare beneficiaries, and help close the gap between needing care and being able to receive it.”
Tonko said: “Our clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed mental health counselors provide lifesaving behavioral health care to our communities. We in Congress must do all in our power to lift the barriers that prevent our seniors and patients from receiving care from these providers. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill alongside my colleagues that opens the door to access to these mental health services that our seniors depend on.”
The act has received endorsements from several organizations including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), American Counseling Association (ACA), Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), Centerstone, Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition, as well as CAMFT.
Christine Michaels of AAMFT said: “The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act is necessary to help address the lack of access … By increasing … reimbursement rates … this legislation will increase … behavioral health providers… We thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for his leadership…” Anthony Estreet of NASW added: “Providing adequate reimbursement … ensures their ability … This legislation would help clinical social workers support those experiencing mental health crises without concern for reimbursement.” The NBCC stated: “This bill raises the reimbursement rate …, sending a clear message: Medicare values mental health care… This change will expand mental health access… while strengthening … serving our aging population.”
According to official records, Brian Fitzpatrick has represented Pennsylvania’s 1st district since replacing Mike Fitzpatrick in 2017. He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 at age 49 according to biographical information.
Fitzpatrick’s background includes graduating from La Salle University with a BS degree in 1996 before earning his JD from Pennsylvania State University’s Carlisle campus in 2001 according to university sources.
Fitzpatrick’s ongoing work includes helping bring crisis stabilization resources such as Doylestown’s Bright Path Center into operation through $1 million Community Project Funding grants—a reflection of his commitment toward expanding immediate care options.
