Stop Insurers From Blocking Mental Health Treatment—Strengthen Parity Laws

I urge you to take immediate action to eliminate the systemic barriers preventing Americans from accessing essential mental health care. Despite increased demand, health insurers continue to create obstacles at every stage of treatment, from finding in-network therapists to obtaining coverage approvals. This has led to a significant portion of the population being denied critical care, exacerbating the mental health crisis in our nation. Investigations have revealed that some of the largest health insurers employ tactics that hinder access to mental health services. These include relying on company doctors to deny coverage and using patients’ progress as a pretext to discontinue treatment. The regulatory framework intended to oversee these practices is fragmented and underfunded, resulting in inadequate enforcement and leaving many without necessary care. To address this pressing issue, I recommend the following actions: 1. Strengthen Enforcement of Mental Health Parity Laws: Ensure that mental health services receive coverage equal to physical health services, as mandated by law. 2. Increase Funding for Mental Health Services: Allocate resources to expand the mental health workforce and services, particularly in underserved areas. 3. Enhance Oversight of Health Insurers: Implement stricter regulations and monitoring to hold insurers accountable for unjust denial of mental health care claims. Addressing these barriers is crucial to improving the mental well-being of our communities and upholding the right to accessible health care for all citizens.