Lower Bucks Today

U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick, David Trone, and Paul D. Tonko, along with Senators Tina Smith and Debbie Stabenow, have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to mental health services through the Medicaid program. The Medicaid Bump Act seeks to address the issue of inadequate access to mental and behavioral health care for low-income families, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

Congressman Fitzpatrick highlighted the importance of the legislation, stating, “About thirty-five percent of Medicaid-covered individuals that are struggling with mental health concerns report that they are not receiving treatment.” He emphasized the need to incentivize states to increase their Medicaid spending on behavioral health services to meet the demand for care.

Congressman Trone, a co-founder of the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, stressed the significance of making mental health treatment accessible and affordable for all Americans. He expressed his support for the Medicaid Bump Act as a solution to the existing barriers in accessing mental health care.

Congressman Tonko echoed the sentiments of his colleagues, emphasizing the necessity of making mental and behavioral health services readily available to those in need. He underscored the importance of increasing the federal reimbursement rate for such services under Medicaid to address the systemic underinvestment in mental health care.

Senator Smith highlighted the equity issues in mental and behavioral health care, stating, “Too many people don’t have access to the mental or behavioral health care they need.” She emphasized the importance of the bill in improving access to care for patients and ensuring fair reimbursement for providers.

Senator Stabenow emphasized the need to treat mental health care with the same importance as physical health care, pointing out the lack of access to affordable behavioral health care in the country. She expressed her commitment to closing the gap in services and helping individuals receive the care they need.

The Medicaid Bump Act of 2024 aims to create a financial incentive for states to increase their Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services. The bill would enhance the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate for states exceeding 2019 spending levels on behavioral health services, require states to use additional federal funds to improve capacity and quality of services, and mandate reporting on the impact of increased federal reimbursement on the utilization of behavioral health services in each state.

The introduction of this bipartisan legislation signifies a crucial step towards improving access to mental health care for underserved populations and addressing the disparities in mental and behavioral health services across the United States.