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 the current session of Congress appear below. For statements from past Congresses, view theĀ archive.
- 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.