David Thomas: “last week we had the opportunity to introduce a bill called the ``Rural Mental Health Accessibility Act of 2001.'' I am…”

“last week we had the opportunity to introduce a bill called the ``Rural Mental Health Accessibility Act of 2001.'' I am pleased to be joined by Senators Conrad, Domenici, Johnson, Roberts, and Nelson from Nebraska to bring forward the opportunity for us to strengthen medical provisions for mental health in rural States in particular. As you might imagine, rural States have many unique problems. We have small towns and small cities where not all medical specialties are present. We have to build sort of a network of health care for small towns. One of the things that has been most difficult to provide in those rural areas is mental health in small towns where kids need some counseling, and where there are real problems with no one there who is a specialist in mental health. This Rural Mental Health Accessibility Act reflects on those unique needs and provides States and local communities flexibility. The Federal programs that assist in health care needs in Wyoming are different than they are in Pennsylvania, or in Rhode Island. We need to have flexibility in all cases, particularly in the case of mental health which is more of a speciality. This act provides for creative and collaborative provider education to help provide education for the mental health provider so they can come to those rural areas and give some assistance in education. It increases access to mental services to vulnerable children and seniors in unserved rural areas throughout these States.”