H.R.3808 - Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3808, the "Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act," aims to improve access to mental health services for seniors under the Medicare program. The bill amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include clinical social worker services in skilled nursing facilities and expands the range of covered services. It specifically addresses the exclusion of clinical social worker services from the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System and ensures access to a complete set of clinical social worker services, including those related to health and behavior assessment and intervention.
Expected Effects
This bill will likely increase the availability of mental health services for seniors, particularly those in skilled nursing facilities. By including clinical social worker services, it aims to provide more comprehensive mental healthcare to this demographic. The changes will apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Mental Healthcare Access: Seniors in skilled nursing facilities will have better access to mental health services provided by clinical social workers.
- Comprehensive Services: The bill expands the range of covered services to include health and behavior assessment and intervention.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Addressing mental health needs can improve the overall quality of life for seniors.
- Preventative Care: Early intervention and assessment can help prevent more serious mental health issues from developing.
- Alignment with Modern Healthcare Practices: The bill updates Medicare to reflect current standards of mental healthcare.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Cost Increases: Expanding covered services may lead to increased costs for the Medicare program.
- Administrative Burden: Healthcare providers may face additional administrative requirements to comply with the new regulations.
- Limited Scope: The bill primarily focuses on seniors in skilled nursing facilities, potentially overlooking other populations in need of mental health services.
- Implementation Challenges: Ensuring adequate staffing and resources for clinical social worker services may pose challenges.
- Uncertain Long-Term Impact: The long-term effects on the Medicare program and patient outcomes are yet to be determined.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it seeks to improve the health and well-being of senior citizens. Specifically, the preamble states the Constitution aims to "promote the general Welfare." By expanding access to mental health services under Medicare, the bill attempts to fulfill this objective. The bill falls under the legislative powers granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8, which includes the power to provide for the general welfare of the United States through taxation and spending.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).