• Barrasso, Delaware Democrat cosponsor legislation backed by social workers.

By Alex Viveros
Jackson Hole News&Guide
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

JACKSON —Accessing mental health care can be a challenge for many Americans. That challenge is pressing for people who are on Medicare, a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older.

A new bipartisan bill aims to make it easier for people on Medicare to access mental health services.

The bill, dubbed the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act, was introduced in Congress on May 15 by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del. The legislation would improve access to licensed clinical social workers for people on Medicare.

“As a doctor, I know how vital it is for seniors to have access to mental health services,” Barrasso said in a May 15 press release. “For those living in rural communities, finding a mental health provider is challenging. This is why I am proud to support bipartisan solutions that help more patients get the care they need.”

About one in every five Americans aged 65 and older reported having symptoms of anxiety and depression in February 2023, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, an American nonprofit focused on health policy. Despite that, many do not receive care. 

“Outdated” Medicare rules prevent older Americans from receiving social workers’ care in skilled nursing facilities, Coons said in the May 15 press release.

His co-sponsored bill “fixes these rules and expands Medicare coverage to allow social workers to provide the best care to seniors when they need it most,” Coons said.

A St. John’s Health representative said the hospital has recognized mental health care’s importance “for all ages” and was investing in supporting access. St. John’s has a growing behavioral health services team and has recruited a new adult psychiatrist who will start in the fall.

“We’re grateful that Senator Barrasso and other legislators are recognizing the need for mental health services for elders, particularly those who live in long term care,” Karen Connelly, chief communications officer at St. John’s Health, wrote in an email to the News&Guide. “We look forward to seeing how this bill will unfold to improve access for our community members, and we hope that the legislature recognizes the financial headwinds facing rural health systems in America as they consider their future support of Medicaid and Medicare programs that improve medical care for many millions of Americans.”

The National Association of Social Workers celebrated the bill.

“Passage of this legislation is critical to the health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries, for our nation and the social work profession,” CEO Anthony Estreet said in the release. “It will help Medicare beneficiaries access desperately needed, high-quality mental health services clinical social workers are authorized to perform under state law, and it will remove a significant barrier to mental health care provided by independent clinical social workers to older adults and people with disabilities in skilled nursing facilities.”