Salem, OR – U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas, a Democrat from Oregon, has reintroduced a bill aimed at ensuring individuals enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare have access to free behavioral health services. The legislation seeks to guarantee at least three free behavioral health visits each year, aiming to reduce barriers to mental health care for vulnerable populations.
The bill, which was initially introduced in the prior Congress in 2023, has been amended for the current session to focus specifically on behavioral health services. Under the proposed legislation, individuals enrolled in Medicare, which serves those 65 and older or individuals with disabilities, and Medicaid, which provides coverage for low-income residents, would receive the mental health services without any out-of-pocket costs.
Salinas emphasized the importance of mental health care, noting that it is often overlooked despite its critical role in overall well-being. “Mental health care is just as important as our physical health, but it is often overlooked — an unfortunate reality that has contributed to the mental health and addiction crisis we experience today,” Salinas said in a statement.
Oregon’s Medicaid program, the Oregon Health Plan, currently serves around 1.4 million people, while over 900,000 individuals in the state are enrolled in Medicare, according to state data. The bill aims to ensure these individuals can access the behavioral health care they need, including services for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions such as mental illness and addiction.
Salinas hopes the legislation will address the discouragement that many people feel when faced with the financial burden of seeking mental health care. “While this is not a comprehensive solution, it is a great first step that will encourage more people to seek care without having to worry about the price tag,” she said.
The proposal has garnered support from mental health advocacy groups, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the American Psychiatric Association. “This is a critical step to helping each person receive the care they need to get well and stay well,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer of NAMI.
In her advocacy, Salinas has noted that mental health and addiction issues often attract bipartisan support in Congress, highlighting their significant impact on various sectors, including the economy. “Behavioral health and addiction do seem to be the last bastion of bipartisan interest,” Salinas remarked, recognizing the broad consensus that accessible care can foster a healthier, more productive society.
The bill has been referred to both the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration. If passed, it would set a minimum standard of care for some of the most vulnerable individuals in Oregon, marking an important step in the ongoing conversation about the need for affordable and accessible behavioral health services across the country.
