On the recordJanuary 13, 2017
Mr. Speaker, one of ObamaCare's most critical successes was increased mental health services. Because of ACA, over 48 million are now covered by mental health and parity laws. Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage for patients needing mental health services, but we do need tougher enforcement on this, as well as the insurance rate increases. The ACA expanded Medicaid, the single largest payer of behavioral health services, to a new population. That has allowed over 1.6 million Americans to gain access to substance abuse treatment. Last month, we signed into law reforms to mental health and substance abuse grants and services. Repealing ACA would harm those advances. ACA should be strengthened, not repealed, so more Americans have access to lifesaving mental health services. We must move mental health forward, not back. Support ACA. ____________________





