Letter – Legislative Communication

Letter – Legislative Communication

[Your Personal or Business Address]

[Date]

The Honorable [Representative’s First Name Last Name]

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative [Last Name],

As a constituent and healthcare professional based in Riverview, Florida, I wholeheartedly support the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H. R. 945). This legislation is crucial as it aims to enhance funding for and utilization of mental health care, especially for included populations. The Mental Health Access Improvement Act would significantly increase access to mental health services for populations who are underserved in our current healthcare system, including rural residents, low-income families, and veterans.

Introduction to the Issue

The Mental Health Access Improvement Act is a legislative measure authored by both parties intending to expand mental health care service delivery by permitting licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to provide services for Medicare. The current Medicare system bars these professionals from rendering care to Medicare beneficiaries in means that have deprived many older and disabled citizens of necessary mental health care. This bill seeks to address the increasing mental health problems in the United States by aiming to make more persons fit to benefit from qualified mental health.

 Explanation of the Issue

This legislation is especially crucial since it addresses some of the most vulnerable groups in society. Coombs et al. (2021) report that 18 percent of U.S. adults have a mental illness, but many are unable to seek treatment because of cost or because providers in their state are scarce. The act would expand the provider network and increase the availability of mental health services for patients who need them the most by allowing mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to bill Medicare. This expansion is significant, especially in severalty areas, since very few mental health practitioners are available, and many patients are forced to wait for very long periods or are offered substandard treatment.

Furthermore, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues remain a severe problem throughout the country. According to a survey conducted by Kupcova et al. (2023), it has been established that the use of mental health services has increased during the pandemic, with over 40% of adults in the United States presenting with anxiety or depressive disorder. The Mental Health Access Improvement Act is timely for this crisis, as it would allow more mental health professionals to reach people in need, easing the mental healthcare burden and enhancing the well-being of all our communities.

Arguments and Justifications

It is not only politically proper and socially responsible to support the Mental Health Access Improvement Act but also rational and profitable. The research by Coombs et al. (2021) also indicated that mental health diseases not treated increase general health costs due to more frequent use of emergency care and further deterioration of the physical condition. According to the World Health Organization (2024), four dollars can be gained in improved health and efficiency when one dollar is spent on mental health treatment. H.R. 945 would expand access to mental health services, save untold amounts of money, and improve the health of millions of Americans, thereby alleviating a significant social cost.

Moreover, expanding the availability and usage of mental health care has been found to extend life expectancies, decrease suicide rates, and elevate the well-being of suffering individuals. With such provisions, this bill would contribute to efforts aimed at bringing affordable healthcare to millions of Americans. Also, according to Coombs et al. (2021), increased mental health service utilization results in improved handling of chronic diseases, thus lowering overall healthcare costs.

Personal Impact

From my experience as a healthcare professional, I have seen the harm that can result from ignored mental illnesses in a patient or a family. I’ve seen people with mental illnesses who don’t have access to health insurance or affordable care options, which leads to the deterioration of their diseases and higher use of emergency services. The Mental Health Access Improvement Act will be a game changer in our local community, which includes many low-income families and older persons. This bill would allow more mental health professionals to provide Medicare services so patients see them earlier before they get to a state where their wellness is affected.

Notably, such legislation is not confined to the individual patient’s or client’s benefit alone. It would also help support the hard-working healthcare professionals struggling to meet the rising need for mental health assistance. The bill H. R. 945 would further ensure a wider plurality of health care providers, thereby redistributing the workload and enabling more specialized care to the people. This would be beneficial to advocating for better patient attention and wellbeing and increased satisfaction of mental health personnel.

Call to Action and Conclusion

To that end, I encourage you to support the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H. R. 945) because this legislation will significantly enhance mental healthcare availability, patient satisfaction, and patient-driven healthcare value. Your leadership in addressing this area could help transform many people’s lives within our district and elsewhere. With this legislation, you will empower people of all places and incomes to get the treatment they require for their mental illnesses.

I hope my argument has been persuasive and that you will consider the implications of this issue for your community. I eagerly await your reply and the opportunity to collaborate with your office on the matter of mental health care for Americans.

Please get in touch with me at [Your Contact Information] if you require any further information.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title/Occupation]

[Your Institution or Affiliation, if applicable]

References

Coombs, N. C., Meriwether, W. E., Caringi, J., & Newcomer, S. R. (2021). Barriers to healthcare access among U.S. adults with mental health challenges: A population-based study. SSM – Population Health, 15(PMC8214217), 100847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100847

Kupcova, I., Danisovic, L., Klein, M., & Harsanyi, S. (2023). Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, anxiety, and depression. BMC Psychology, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01130-5

World Health Organization. (2024). Mental health in the workplace. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/promotion-prevention/mental-health-in-the-workplace

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Instructions
Legislative Communication: Letter

Legislative Communication

For this assignment, you will draft a Legislative Letter to a specific legislator and offer support or a constructive argument against pending or passed policy or legislation that you are passionate about.
Your letter must include three (3) evidence-based references that support your position.
Refer to the Guidance on Writing Legislative Communication Letter

Submission Details:
•Support your responses with examples.
• Cite any sources in APA format.