Barrasso, Bennet Introduce Bill to Improve Access to Mental Health Services in Rural Areas

Bipartisan legislation was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate to improve access to mental health services. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and  Michael Bennet of Colorado introduced legislation that will increase access to behavioral, psychological, and mental health services in rural areas. The Accelerating the Development of Advanced Psychology Trainees or ADAPT Act, will establish Medicare coverage for advanced psychology trainees, allowing nearly 4,000 trainees to bill for services provided under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. The bipartisan legislation will help rural areas across the country expand access to services for seniors, improve recruitment of mental and behavioral health providers, and maintain the mental health care workforce.

Senator Barrasso said Wyoming and other rural communities across the country often face the greatest shortage of mental health providers and long distances and bad weather can make it hard for patients to receive the quality of care they deserve. Barrasso said as a doctor, he knows first hand how important it is to recruit and maintain quality mental health professionals. The legislation is supported by the Wyoming Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association.