To: The Massachusetts Legislature, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and MassHealth

 From: Joao Barbalho and Jacob Dos Reis and concerned citizens of Massachusetts 

 Subject: Equal Access to Youth Mental Health Services Under MassHealth

 

The Problem:

In Massachusetts, youth covered by private insurance receive faster, higher-quality mental health care compared to those covered by MassHealth. This leaves thousands of young people without the support they need, Especially mental health crises young people. State health care is slower and the quality is worse, Meanwhile private is fast, and has high-quality mental health. They should address it,  this is crucial to ensuring all youth in Massachusetts have equitable access to the mental health services they deserve.

 

Why is this a problem?

In Massachusetts, youth with private insurance get faster and better mental health care than those covered by MassHealth. This creates dangerous delays for kids in crisis, leaving them without the support they need. Since mental health struggles don’t wait, neither should access to care—every young person deserves timely, high-quality help, no matter their insurance. Addressing this issue is essential to ensuring all youth in Massachusetts can access the mental health support they deserve—support that is timely, effective, and equitable. Without change, too many young people will continue to fall.

 

What Should Be Done:

We demand that MassHealth:

Massachusetts must urgently reduce wait times for youth mental health care under MassHealth to match private insurance, expand the network of child psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists, and guarantee consistent, high-quality services—including longer sessions and better follow-up care. This requires increased funding to close the gap and ensure every child, regardless of insurance type, gets the timely, reliable support they deserve. Add mental health services in schools for easier access. Fund these changes so no family is left struggling to get help. MassHealth should provide youth mental health services with the same speed, quality, and provider access as private insurance.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

All citizens deserve equal access to opportunities and resources, including healthcare. Your plan challenges the inequality in mental health care between MassHealth and private insurance, demanding that no child is left behind due to their insurance type. Many children covered by MassHealth face longer wait times or no access to mental health care compared to those with private insurance, simply because fewer providers accept MassHealth. Changes like more funding will allow better quality care and speed to MassHealth.