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Legislation Comparison Grid Template
Health-related
Bill Name
Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019
Bill Number H.R.945
Description This bill was established to provide coverage under Medicare for
marriage and family therapists and licensed mental health
counselors.
Federal or State? Federal
Legislative Intent This bill is currently in the 1 st stage of the legislative development.
It was presented to Congress on 1/31/19. It will be deliberated by
the committee then by chance sent on to the entire House or
Senate .
Proponents/
Opponents
Proponents:
Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
sponsored this bill.
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Senator Debbie Stabenow
(D-MI) reintroduced mental health services to bill Medicare for the
treatment of mental health problems.
Opponents:
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) proposed 2 of Rep.Tim Murphy bills but
abandoned it to connect his own mental health bill. His bill directly
addresses gun ownership.
Mental health advocate Vicki Smith feels this proposed bill reflects
a backward approach to mental illness.
Advocates indicate the bill backs forcible care, institutionalization
and loss of privacy rights.
© 2018 Laureate Education Inc. 1
Legislation Comparison
Grid Template

Target
Population
The older population of adults with mental health problems
Status of the bill
(Is it in hearings
or committees?
Is it receiving
press coverage?)
This bill was reintroduced 1/31/19 and remains in the 1 st stage of
the legislative process.
General
Notes/Comments
- Presently, Medicare does not directly pay for marriage and family
therapists and licensed mental health counselors necessitating