A bipartisan group of senators on the Senate Finance Committee released a discussion draft for policies that address youth mental health care.
The discussion draft includes policies that would allow providers to receive Medicaid reimbursement for behavioral and physical health services delivered on the same day. It also supports mental health care in schools by updating Medicaid guidance to states to clarify allowable payments and identify strategies to reduce administrative burden. In addition, it seeks to improve enforcement and oversight of Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit.
In addition, the draft would also streamline enrollment for out-of-state providers in another state’s Medicaid program and direct Medicaid to guide states on how they can cover treatment family care services for foster youth enrolled in Medicaid with intensive mental health needs.
“Young people across the country are facing unprecedented challenges, and it’s taking a devastating toll on their mental health,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said. “By strengthening access to mental health care through Medicaid — which covers half of all children in this country — the Finance Committee can make a real difference in helping kids get the care they need, whether that’s at home, in the doctor’s office, or at school.”
This discussion draft is the second legislative draft released by the committee since it began its mental health care initiative. Last month it released a telehealth discussion draft. Earlier this year, the committee announced five areas of focus for addressing mental health care: workforce, care integration, mental health parity, telehealth, and youth.
“Although the pandemic is subsiding and our return to normalcy may be imminent, we cannot ignore the lasting effects of the past two years on the social and emotional well-being of children, whose needs require carefully tailored solutions,” Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), ranking member on the committee, said. “We should do all that we can, within the committee’s jurisdiction, to increase access to high-quality mental health services, and reduce the causes of delayed and forgone treatment.”
U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) also worked on the draft.
“After two years of a life-altering pandemic and worsening youth mental health crisis, it’s more important than ever to come together and ease the burden for kids across the country,” Carper said. “Our draft will make it easier for schools to provide vital mental health services to students on campus and more manageable for states to face head-on an impending mental health crisis. Our nation’s children need someone to stand up for them, and I’m proud that, alongside this bipartisan group, we’re doing just that.”
Cassidy, who is a doctor, note that there has been a massive rise in youth mental health issues following the pandemic.
“This bill ensures children and teens have access to quality care to have their needs addressed,” Cassidy said.