Gov. Tony Evers vetoed it. invoice He said March 29 could have been the day Wisconsin residents were allowed to access mental health services outside the state. Veto message. Evers said the bill could leave residents with fewer legal protections against unethical care because the Wisconsin Board of Review does not have jurisdiction in other states.
But University of Wisconsin social work professor Tully Moses said out-of-state services could help increase accessibility for students who need immediate access to mental health care.
“I think it’s important that [of the bill] We are expanding our pool of telehealth providers to reduce the amount of time students have to wait between seeking and receiving services,” Moses said.
Virtual care in particular is very intuitive and easy to use for college students, and the quality of telehealth services is comparable to in-person care, Moses said.
Moses said Evers’ decision to veto the bill came from other groups, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the National Association of Social Workers, who have indicated they do not support the bill, citing moral abuse. He said it was possible.
Although the bill did not pass, Wisconsin already has rules in place that allow certain out-of-state health care providers to treat state residents, said Counseling Services at the University of Eau Claire in Wisconsin. Director Riley McGrath said in an email to the Badger Herald.
“Wisconsin is Cypact “This state allows psychologists from other PsyPact states who are approved through PsyPact to practice in Wisconsin,” McGrath said. “Wisconsin also Counseling compact stateThis is a similar setting for licensed professional counselors to practice telemedicine. ”
Additionally, although there may be a long waiting list, University of Wisconsin-Madison students will receive free treatment from University Health Services, Moses said. Overall, Wisconsin’s mental health services rank well among other regions in the nation, Moses said.
In 2023, Wisconsin ranked #1 in the U.S. for the highest rate of access to care and the lowest prevalence of mental illness, according to . mental health in america.
The decision to ban nonresident health care providers could change in the coming years, Moses said, and Wisconsin is likely to start incorporating more out-of-state mental health services.
“I think this [bill] It’s a big dynamic issue,” Moses said. “The reality is that Wisconsin needs more providers.”
To view your options for on-campus mental health services, please visit University Health Services.
