Support for health care reform is waning. Let legislators know you want health care reform and expanded Medicare mental health access, by having Congress pass Medicare LMHC eligibility provisions.
1.25.10
Alexandria, VA - January 22, 2010 - In the wake of Scott Browns ascendancy to the late Edward M. Kennedys Massachusetts Senate seat, Senate supporters of health care reform lack the 60 seats necessary to surmount a filibuster by health care reform opponents. To remain viable, health care reform will assume a new shape. AMHCA and its legislative coalition members continue to push for inclusion of LMHC Medicare eligibility in any final health reform package. LMHC Medicare eligibility has the support of numerous House members, House committee leadership, and House leadership. Over the past few weeks, discussions between House and Senate staffers have revealed increased support among U.S. Senators for LMHC Medicare eligibility. AMHCA is grateful for its members overwhelming outreach to U.S. Senators. As a product of your lobbying efforts, a growing number of Senators are placing LMHC Medicare eligibility on their health care reform radar screens. AMHCA asks its members to continue to lobby their U.S. Senators for LMHC Medicare eligibility. Today, the federal government reports there are 77 million Americans lacking access to mental health care. Many of these Americans are Medicare beneficiaries unable to access current Medicare outpatient mental health providers. Let your U.S. Senators know you stand ready, willing, and more than able to deliver outpatient 'medically necessary' mental health care to these Medicare beneficiaries. Ask that your U.S. Senators support The Seniors Mental Health Access Act of 2009 and its inclusion in any final health care reform bill sent to President Obama for a signature. Please call the Capitol Switchboard at (202)-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your U.S. Senators' offices. Make sure your U.S. Senators know LMHC eligibility is necessary to the achievement of Medicare cost savings and enhanced mental health access. Contact Julie A. Clements, J.D., AMHCA Director of Legislative Affairs, at jclements@amhca.org or 1-800-326-2642 if you have further inquiries.