Most Medicare beneficiaries treated in inpatient psychiatric facilities qualify for Medicare because of disability, and they tend to be younger and poorer than the typical Medicare beneficiary. These Medicare beneficiaries live with serious mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), often from a relatively young age. The Medicare program is integral to providing life-saving behavioral health care to those who need it. The Mental Health Liaison Group supports policies that help improve care and access for our most vulnerable populations with mental health and substance use disorders.
Issue statements from past Congresses appear below. For statements from the current session of Congress, view the medicare issue statements page.
- MHLG Supports the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act: The Mental Health Liaison Group wrote to Senators Susan Collins and Tina Smith in support of the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act. This critical legislation eliminates the discrimination against mental illnesses that continues to exist in the Medicare program as Medicare beneficiaries are limited to 190-days of inpatient psychiatric hospital care during their lifetime.
- MHLG Supports the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act: The Mental Health Liaison Group wrote to Representatives Paul Tonko and Bill Huizenga in support of the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act. This critical legislation eliminates the discrimination against mental illnesses that continues to exist in the Medicare program as Medicare beneficiaries are limited to 190-days of inpatient psychiatric hospital care during their lifetime.
- MHLG Supports Medicare Mental Health Inequity Act, 5.8.17: The Mental Health Liaison Group sent a letter to Representative Tonko in support of this legislation that eliminates discrimination against mental illnesses within the Medicare program.
- MHLG Thanks Congressional Leadership for Lifetime Limit Ban, 2.19.15. A Mental Health Liaison Group letter supporting the elimination of the Medicare 190-day lifetime limit of inpatient psychiatric hospital care in the FY2016 Budget proposal.
- MHLG Thanks President and Vice President for Lifetime Limit Ban, 2.19.15. A Mental Health Liaison Group letter supporting the elimination of the Medicare 190-day lifetime limit of inpatient psychiatric hospital care in the FY2016 Budget.
- MHLG Sen Finance Final letter 9 30 13
- MHLG letter on dual eligibles to Senate Special Committee on Aging, 7-18-2012
- MHLG letter on dual eligibles to the Director of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 6-6-2012
- Letter to Rep. Stark supporting Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2011.
- Medicare Inpatient Mental Health Equity Act.
- Medicare Inpatient Mental Health Equity Act.
- Letters supporting reauthorization of Children’s Health Insurance Program and provisions of the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act (H.R. 976) and provisions of the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act (H.R. 976 and H.R. 3162), 9-6-07