Christopher A. Coons

05/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/21/2025 14:12

Senators Coons, Barrasso introduce bipartisan bill to expand access to mental health services for seniors

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act. The bill would improve Medicare beneficiaries' access to licensed clinical social workers. By providing these mental health professionals with the opportunity to participate in the Medicare program when delivering services in skilled nursing facilities, this bill expands the number of mental health providers available to Delaware's seniors.

"Increasing access to clinical social workers improves seniors' mental health and gives them hope no matter where they live," said Senator Coons. "Unfortunately, outdated Medicare rules prevent too many older Americans from receiving support from social workers in skilled nursing facilities. The bipartisan Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act fixes these rules and expands Medicare coverage to allow social workers to provide the best care to seniors when they need it most."

"As a doctor, I know how vital it is for seniors to have access to mental health services," said Senator Barrasso. "In particular, 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."

"On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers?-?Delaware Chapter, we thank Senator?Chris?Coons for championing the bipartisan Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act," said Molly?J.?Arbogast, Executive Director of NASW Delaware. "Delaware's social workers are eager to meet our neighbors where they are, whether that is in a skilled-nursing facility, a community clinic, or their own living rooms, but outdated Medicare rules keep too many people waiting. This bill cuts red tape, recognizes the full value of clinical social work, and gives older adults and people with disabilities quicker access to the evidence-based care they deserve."

"We strongly support the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act and applaud Senators Coons and Barrasso for prioritizing nursing home residents' mental health through expanded Medicare coverage of these essential services in long term and post-acute care settings. This bill also helps short-term patients at skilled nursing facilities maintain trusted relationships with their preferred clinical social workers-promoting continuity of care as well as safer, more successful transitions back to the community. Enabling seniors to access these services is a vital step in addressing the growing mental and behavioral health needs of older adults," said Cheryl Heiks, Executive Director of Delaware Health Care Facilities Association.

"On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers-Wyoming Chapter, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Senator John Barrasso for his leadership on the bipartisan Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act," said Nathan Stahley, Executive Director of NASW Wyoming. "Modernizing outdated Medicare regulations is essential to expanding access to mental health services for individuals in Wyoming and across the country. This vital legislation cuts through unnecessary red tape, elevates the role of clinical social workers, and ensures that older adults and people with disabilities can receive the timely, evidence-based care they need and deserve."

"The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) applauds Senators John Barrasso and Chris Coons for introducing the bipartisan Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act. Passage of this legislation is critical to the health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries, for our nation and the social work profession," said NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C. "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."

The Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act ensures clinical social workers can provide psychosocial services to patients in nursing homes, and the full range of Health and Behavior Assessment and Intervention (HBAI) services within their scope of practice.

The text of the bill is available here.

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