Cassidy Introduces Bill to Expand Mental Health Care for Seniors

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Removing Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Limitations Act to eliminate the Medicare 190-day lifetime cap on inpatient psychiatric care.

"Louisiana seniors deserve easier access to the care they need," said Dr. Cassidy. "By removing barriers to mental health care, we're making their lives easier and providing peace of mind for their families."

Under Section 1812 of the Social Security Act, inpatient psychiatric care under Medicare is limited to 190 days over a lifetime. The Removing Medicare Mental Health Impatient Limitations Act would erase this cap, ensuring seniors have complete and uninterrupted access to the mental health care they need.

The Removing Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Limitations Act is supported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Legal Action Center, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health America, American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Association, REDC Consortium, and the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action.

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