Make mental health services and medications accessible to all

PAN’S POSITION

Everyone should have access to affordable mental health services and support including appropriate medications.

Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services must ensure coverage, availability, and equitable access to mental health services and medications. 

According to Mental Health America, nearly one in five American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. Today, 59.3 million adults in the U.S. live with a mental health condition. And 28.2 percent of adults report they have tried but are unable to find treatment for their mental health condition.

Access to appropriate mental health treatment is critical but is often impeded or blocked entirely by out-of-pocket costs and lack of access to appropriate healthcare professionals. 

Specifically, Medicare currently does not cover key mental health services such as psychiatric rehabilitation, peer support services, or assertive community treatment, which is specialized care delivered by an integrated team. 

Mental health is health. Mental health issues are health issues, but some insurances like to put psychiatrists in this extra different category. A psychiatrist is just another specialist.”

– Mary-Ellen, living with a mental health condition