S.1797 - Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1797, the "Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act," aims to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program. The bill amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include clinical social worker services provided to residents of skilled nursing facilities. It also expands the scope of clinical social worker services covered by Medicare to include services for health and behavior assessment and intervention.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely increase the availability of mental health services for seniors, particularly those residing in skilled nursing facilities. This could lead to better mental health outcomes for this population. The changes will apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to mental health services for seniors in skilled nursing facilities.
- Expanded coverage of clinical social worker services under Medicare.
- Improved mental health outcomes for seniors.
- Greater availability of health and behavior assessment and intervention services.
- Potential reduction in hospital readmissions due to improved mental health care.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in Medicare costs due to expanded coverage.
- Possible administrative challenges in implementing the new provisions.
- Risk of overutilization of services if not properly managed.
- May not address all barriers to mental health access, such as stigma or workforce shortages.
- The bill's effectiveness depends on adequate funding and proper implementation.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve the health and well-being of senior citizens. Specifically, the preamble states the Constitution is intended to "promote the general Welfare". Congress has the power to enact legislation related to Medicare under its enumerated powers. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).