Nearly 20% of Americans suffer from mental illness, yet more than 60% do not have access to regular mental health services. This need is no less great among the elderly and disabled -- yet Medicare won’t allow licensed mental health counselors to become authorized providers. This is exclusionary and only hurts our most vulnerable citizens.

Easy and convenient access to mental health care is needed in the United States. Thankfully, the U.S. Senate has stepped up to help address this coverage gap.

Two years ago, Wyoming Senator John Barrosso introduced the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act (SB 1830). The legislation would authorize licensed mental health counselors and family therapists to be covered under Medicare -- especially those affiliated with rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and hospice centers. Unfortunately, this legislation has stalled in the Senate -- leaving our elderly and disabled citizens without needed health care.

Expanding patient access to licensed mental health professionals is critical to improving the health care delivery system for the elderly and disabled. Our government has already done this with Tricare -- the health care delivery system for U.S. Veterans. Our senior citizens deserve nothing less.

Please sign and share this petition urging the U.S. Senate to pass SB 1830 and stop Medicare from discriminating against licensed mental health providers. Our seniors are counting on our action.