Fitzpatrick, Tonko Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Mental Health Workforce and Expand Access to Care

Washington, D.C.-Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) introduced the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support mental health providers and improve access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.

The legislation would increase Medicare reimbursement rates for clinical social workers (CSWs), marriage and family therapists (MFTs), and mental health counselors (MHCs) from 75 percent to 85 percent of the Physician Fee Schedule amount for covered mental health services. By addressing a longstanding reimbursement disparity, the bill would help recruit and retain providers, strengthen the behavioral health workforce, and expand access to care in communities facing persistent shortages.

Companion legislation is being led in the Senate by Senators Barrasso (R-Wyo) and Coons (D-Del).

"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," said Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force.

"Our clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed mental health counselors provide lifesaving behavioral health care to our communities," said Tonko. "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."

Under current law, CSWs, MFTs, and MHCs are reimbursed by Medicare at a lower rate than other mental health professionals, creating barriers to participation in the program and exacerbating provider shortages-particularly in rural, underserved, and high-need communities. The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act would help close that gap and better align reimbursement with the essential role these providers play in delivering care.

The legislation is endorsed by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Counseling Association, Centerstone, Clinical Social Work Association, Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Social Workers, and the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Christine Michaels, CEO, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, states: "The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act is necessary to help address the lack of access to behavioral health services that Medicare beneficiaries encounter. By increasing the Medicare reimbursement rates for marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers and mental health counselors, this legislation will increase the number of Medicare-eligible behavioral health providers. The American Association for Marriage and Family is pleased to join with our colleagues in the clinical social work and mental health counseling professions in support of this bill. We thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for his leadership in sponsoring this important legislation."

"The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) supports all avenues that strengthen the mental health workforce throughout the United States. NASW applauds Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Paul Tonko's actions to increase Medicare reimbursement for clinical social workers (CSWs) via the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act. Providing adequate reimbursement for CSWs not only increases compensation that has remained stationary since the 1990s but ensures their ability to provide much-needed support and services to Medicare beneficiaries who need access to critical mental health services. This legislation would help clinical social workers support those experiencing mental health crises without concern for reimbursement," said Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, Chief Executive Officer, NASW.

"The mental health crisis affecting older Americans demands an adequate supply of trained, committed counselors willing to serve this population. NBCC strongly endorses the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act because current reimbursement inequity makes it difficult to recruit and retain counselors in senior mental health services, particularly in underserved rural and urban communities. This bill raises the reimbursement rate to 85 percent of the physician fee schedule, sending a clear message: Medicare values mental health care, and we value the professionals delivering it. This change will expand mental health access for millions of Medicare beneficiaries while strengthening the counseling workforce serving our aging population," said National Board for Certified Counselors.

"Medicare beneficiaries must have access to highly qualified mental health professionals. This bill is a critical step toward ensuring access to mental health care, including LMFTs, and the long-term sustainability of the Medicare mental health program," said Joy Alafia, Executive Director of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).

"The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act represents a critical step forward. Increasing reimbursement rates would provide much-needed support to the provider workforce, ensuring they are fairly compensated for the essential, life-changing work they do every day. These providers play a vital role in expanding access to mental health care, and investing in them is an investment in healthier communities," said the American Counseling Association.

Read the full text here.

Background:

This bipartisan resolution builds on Fitzpatrick's longstanding leadership in elevating mental health as a national priority and advancing real solutions to strengthen care on the ground. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force, Fitzpatrick has worked across the aisle and alongside local providers, advocates, and community partners to expand access to care, strengthen crisis response, and support a more effective behavioral health system. That work includes helping bring the Bright Path Center in Doylestown-Pennsylvania's first crisis stabilization center of its kind-from vision to reality, including securing $1 million in Community Project Funding to support its establishment and expand access to immediate care, stabilization, and recovery services for individuals and families in crisis. This resolution reflects that broader commitment to advancing solutions that strengthen care, close gaps in access, and better support individuals and families in need.

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