The ISMA joined the AMA, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and 85 other state and specialty medical organizations yesterday (Sept. 22) in strongly urging U.S. House committee leaders to reject the Medicare Mental Health Access Act. The bill would change the definition of “physician” under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists, allowing them to offer services that they are not trained to perform. 

The sign-on letter was addressed to leaders of the House committees on Finance, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means. It said the bill, HR 884 / S 2772, “jeopardizes the safety of patients in the Medicare program and would create silos in the delivery of appropriate mental and physical health care. Moreover, this legislation runs counter to efforts to coordinate and integrate the delivery of care to patients with mental illnesses and co-occurring health conditions.”

Read the AMA/APA letter here >>