FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov

Amid National Mental Health Crisis Due to COVID-19, Reps. Trone and Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Tele-Mental Health Services

WASHINGTON — Today, Representatives David Trone (D-MD) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the bipartisan Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act to expand access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment.

The bill comes as studies show the COVID-19 pandemic could result in a 50% increase in behavioral health conditions. The Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act would require health insurance companies and health care plans to cover tele-behavioral health care services the same as those services provided in-person.

“During COVID, we’ve seen how effective and safe tele-mental health appointments are for folks who need access to mental health care from their own home,” said Rep. Trone. “This bill works to continue expanding access to tele-mental health and eliminate barriers to mental health care to ensure that every American can access high-quality care no matter where they live. I want to thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for working together to continue expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder services in our communities.”

“The mental health crisis sweeping across our nation has only been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, creating new barriers for our fellow Americans who are seeking access to high-quality, affordable treatment,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I am proud to join Representative Trone in introducing the bipartisan Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act and look forward to working with all my colleagues to provide the necessary support, care, and assistance to those who are struggling with mental or behavioral health conditions in our communities.”

For a summary of the bill, click here.

For bill text, click here.

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees in the 117th Congress and previously served on the Education and Labor and Foreign Affairs Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.

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