(NewsNation) — Former politician and mental health advocate Patrick Kennedy says America’s health care industry isn’t doing enough to treat people suffering from mental illness until it’s “almost too late.” .
“We need to talk more openly. And we can’t wait until there’s a crisis, but unfortunately that’s the current situation in this country,” Kennedy said on “The Elizabeth Vargas Report.” “We don’t treat patients until they’re stage 4. And, frankly, we don’t let people get help until it’s almost too late. And why are so many people committing suicide or overdosing?” I wonder if he died.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. suicide rate in 2022 will be 14.3 per 100,000 people, the highest since 1941.
The number of drug-related deaths nationwide will hit a new record with nearly 110,000 deaths in 2022 as the fentanyl crisis worsens amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the CDC. did.
These alarming statistics demonstrate the need for greater access to mental health care in the United States
“We have never paid for mental health,” Kennedy said. “This is the lowest reimbursed service in the health care system, even after billings. What insurance companies still do is pay such poor wages, almost nothing. …A lot. of people are either disconnected from the network or have to pay in cash.”
President Joe Biden announced in 2023 that he is working on new rules aimed at encouraging insurance companies to expand coverage of mental health treatment.
The new regulations, which still need to go through a public comment period, will require insurers to examine whether customers have equal access to medical and mental health benefits and take corrective action if necessary. . The Mental Health Parity Act and the Addiction Fairness Act require insurance companies to provide the same level of coverage for both mental and physical health care, but administrators and advocates believe that insurers’ policies are claims to restrict access.
If the rule is finalized, insurers will consider provider networks, reimbursement rates, and whether treatments require prior authorization to ensure equal coverage of mental and physical health benefits. It will be mandatory to investigate patient outcomes.
President Kennedy thanked Mr. Biden and praised the new regulations as a positive step.
“We’re trying to fix that,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
