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Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), released a set of policies aimed at expanding mental health care under Medicaid and Medicare, in addition to lowering prescription drug cost for seniors. The Chair announced the , highlighting the committee’s commitment to advancing these bipartisan legislative proposals.

On November 8, 2023, the Senate Finance Committee held a markup to discuss the proposed policies provided in the . The Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act would:

• Expand eligibility for incentives under the Medicare Health Professional Shortage Area Bonus Program to practitioners furnishing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services.
• Improve access to mental health services under Medicare.
• Provide Medicare incentives for behavioral health integration and coordination of primary care.
• Establish an incident to Medicare modifier for telehealth mental health services.
• Updates provider practices and facilitate accessibility for Medicare beneficiaries with limited English proficiency and/or those who are visually or hearing impaired and seek telehealth mental health services.
• Ensures timely communication of telehealth and Interstate Licensure requirements under Medicaid and Medicare.
• Increase mental health and SUD provider capacity through guidance under Medicaid and CHIP.
• Offer guidance to States on Supporting Mental Health Services and Substance Use Disorder Care for Children and Youth.
• Extends funding for outreach and assistance for low-income programs.
• Increase Medicare Improvement Fund from $180 million to $936 million.

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½will continue to monitor the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act and provide any updates.

For more information and any questions regarding this legislation, please contact ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Government Affairs & Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.