Budzinski, Mann Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Mental Health Care in Underserved Areas

The More Behavioral Health Providers Act would help recruit mental health professionals to work in areas with a shortage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01) introduced the More Behavioral Health Providers Act to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder care in areas struggling with a shortage of mental health professionals. 

The bipartisan legislation would expand eligibility for incentives under Medicare’s Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Physician Bonus Program to include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, mental health counselors, and other behavioral health professionals who provide mental health or substance use disorder services in a mental health HPSA. A mental health HPSA is generally designated when the population-to-provider ratio is 30,000:1 or higher, or 20,000:1 in areas with unusually high need.

“Millions of Americans struggle to access mental health care, especially in the rural areas I represent in Central and Southern Illinois,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “As demand for care grows, we need real solutions to help recruit and retain mental health professionals in the communities that need them most. Our bill will modernize Medicare’s workforce incentives to better reflect how care is delivered and, in turn, increase access to these essential services.” 

“Americans deserve access to affordable, quality care no matter their zip code,” said Congressman Mann. “The More Behavioral Health Providers Act takes a practical step toward expanding access by ensuring qualified behavioral health professionals are eligible for existing Medicare incentives when they choose to serve in high-need communities. This bill strengthens the workforce we already have, respects scope of practice, and helps make sure patients can get the care they need close to home.”

Despite a rising need for behavioral health care, Medicare’s HPSA bonus program remains narrowly targeted and does not reflect how mental health care is delivered today. Under current law, bonus incentives are limited primarily to physicians, even though much of behavioral healthcare is provided by non-physician clinicians such as psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and counselors. 

The More Behavioral Health Providers Act would modernize Medicare’s workforce incentives by expanding eligibility and increasing bonuses for mental health and substance use disorder services in mental health HPSAs, helping attract and retain providers in communities facing the most acute shortages and improving access to community-based care.

The More Behavioral Health Providers Act is endorsed by the National Board for Certified Counselors, National Association of Social Workers, American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association Services, American Psychiatric Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Mental Health America, Primary Care Collaborative, and National Partnership for Women and Families. 

“The National Board for Certified Counselors & Affiliates applauds Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) for introducing the More Behavioral Health Providers Act. This bill affirmatively expands access to care at a moment when our nation faces a persistent mental health provider shortage that burdens our most vulnerable communities. By advancing fair reimbursement and supporting a robust, well-distributed workforce, it ensures individuals receive timely, high-quality care when they need it most. This work is central to the heartbeat of America, and this bill will support our nation’s counselors as they continue to care for those in need with dignity and excellence. NBCC is proud to endorse and advocate for the passage of this important bill,” said Brian D. Banks, Executive Director of the National Board for Certified Counselors Policy Advocacy and Research in Counseling (PARC) Center.

“The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) thanks Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Congressman Tracey Mann for introducing the bipartisan More Behavioral Health Providers Act, complementing the introduction in the Senate last year. This bill will allow clinical social workers and other providers of mental health and substance use disorder services to be eligible for the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Physician Bonus Program. Clinical social workers meet the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders where they live. Clinical social workers are often one of the only mental health providers in HPSA communities. This bill will help clinical social workers serve individuals in these communities, said Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Social Workers.

“The American Counseling Association supports the More Behavioral Health Providers Act and believes it is especially important at a time when the need for behavioral health providers continues to grow. This bill would expand access to mental health and substance use disorder care by extending Medicare HPSA bonus eligibility to mental health counselors and other behavioral health providers. With ongoing shortages—particularly in rural and underserved communities—we thank Rep. Budzinski’s office for leading this effort and for supporting access to care where it is needed most,” said Guila Todd, the Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy at the American Counseling Association. 

“Medicare has long recognized that higher reimbursement helps increase access to care for underserved communities. We applaud Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Mann for applying that same approach to behavioral health specialists. The need is clear: Medicare patients in rural areas are only half as likely as their urban counterparts to see a mental health specialist,” said Arthur C. Evans, Jr., PhD, Chief Executive Officer of American Psychological Association Services.

“Nurse practitioners (NPs) are trusted providers of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment in communities across the nation, especially in underserved areas.  On behalf of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the over 461,000 NPs we represent, we thank Representatives Budzinski and Mann for introducing the More Behavioral Health Providers Act. This bill recognizes the important care provided by NPs and would ensure NPs and other clinicians have critically needed financial support to increase patient access to behavioral health care services,” said Valerie J. Fuller, PhD, DNP, President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

“Mental Health America applauds Representatives Budzinski and Mann for championing this legislation, which would expand access to mental health care in communities that need it most,” said Caren Howard, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at Mental Health America. “Timely access to mental health care saves lives, yet too many communities lack the providers needed to receive that care. By incentivizing mental health care delivery in areas where care is sparse, this bill will make it easier for Americans across the country to access effective, lifesaving services closer to home.”  

“By strengthening the behavioral health workforce, this bill is an essential step toward ensuring that all Americans have access to high-quality primary care that treats the whole person,” said Ann Greiner, President and CEO of the Primary Care Collaborative.

Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Steve Daines (R-MT) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate. You can find text of the More Behavioral Health Providers Act HERE.

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