WASHINGTON, DC –
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis alongside co-leads Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective (COMPLETE) Care Act. Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) and Mike Carey (OH-15) also joined as original sponsors.
The legislation supports primary care providers in expanding access to mental health care for Medicare beneficiaries by increasing reimbursement rates for three years to encourage the integration of services like psychiatry, psychology, and substance abuse care into primary care.
“Improving access to quality mental healthcare is essential, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside my colleagues to incentivize doctors to offer mental health services under Medicare”, said Rep. Malliotakis. ” With the increased rates of depression, substance abuse, and suicides, I remain committed to introducing and supporting legislation that will improve access to care for our seniors and all individuals suffering from these conditions”.
“Expanding mental health care access is one of the most important things we can do to improve and save lives of people struggling with mental health issues”, said Rep. Fletcher. “It is critical that we build on our efforts to improve access to mental health resources, and I am glad to partner with Congresswoman Malliotakis, Congressman Pfluger, and Congressman Horsford in this important effort”.
“Addressing significant gaps in our healthcare system is crucial in making treatment more accessible, more affordable, and more effective”, said Rep. Pfluger. “This is why I am proud to co-lead the COMPLETE Care Act which will support integrated care models in primary settings. This isn’t just about expanding services—it’s about transforming how we deliver care to treat the whole person, removing stigma, and ensuring every American can receive the comprehensive support they need, when they need it”.
“Mental health care is health care – it should be as accessible as possible for Nevadans and the American people”, Rep. Horsford said. “I’m proud to co-lead the COMPLETE Care Act to expand access to these critical behavioral health services and supports. By helping primary care providers broaden their coverage, this legislation will help prevent mental health from going undiagnosed and untreated”.
“Mental health care, especially helping those dealing with drug addiction, is an important facet of the overall health care infrastructure, and expanding access to it through Medicare is an important effort,” Rep. Carey said. “I am proud to join with my colleagues to lead the COMPLETE Care Act and encourage its passage”.
“So many Americans are struggling to access mental health and substance use services, and we know that there are innovative models of integrated care that can help”, said APA CEO and Medical Director Marketa M. Wills, M.D., M.B.A. “APA thanks Rep. Malliotakis for introducing the COMPLETE Care Act, legislation to enhance the Collaborative Care Model and reach patients in primary care with early identification and timely treatment of mental health and substance use disorders”.
“America is facing an unprecedented behavioral health crisis, and we can only address the magnitude of the needs if we make mental health screening and care as common a practice as blood pressure or heart disease screening and care. This bipartisan, common -sense legislation will do exactly that, by helping to treat more people earlier and more effectively in primary care”, said Andy Keller, president and CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.
