The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee on Sept. 21 unanimously passed a package of bipartisan bills that included proposed legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) to expand outreach efforts and identify private insurance barriers to accessing mental health crisis services.
“On the Ways and Means Committee, I will continue to be an advocate for our mental and behavioral healthcare providers and patients in central and west-central Illinois,” Rep. LaHood said.
The bipartisan Access to Mental Health Services Act, H.R. 8892, which Rep. LaHood cosponsored on Sept. 19 with U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), would bolster awareness of mental and behavioral health services, identify gaps in coverage under private insurance, and prevent surprise medical bills for mental health, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Mental and behavioral health services are critical components of our healthcare system, and Congress can do more to ensure patients better understand their access to these services, especially in rural communities like those in the 18th District of Illinois,” said Rep. LaHood.
Specifically, H.R. 8892 would require the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury to conduct an outreach campaign on the availability of mental health crisis services under private insurance, the summary says.
In addition, the departments would be required to submit a report to Congress regarding private insurance coverage for mental health crisis services, any potential barriers to accessing such services, and potential issues related to unexpected surprise medical bills, states the summary.
“This bipartisan bill will help mental and behavioral healthcare providers to better treat patients and increase access to mental health care services, particularly in situations of mental health crisis care, while also protecting patients from surprise medical billing,” Rep. LaHood added.
H.R. 8892 was adopted as part of a manager’s amendment during a markup by the House Ways and Means Committee and now heads to the House floor for consideration.