How ACA repeal could affect mental healthcare

Tens of millions of Americans are at risk of losing access to mental healthcare services if Republican lawmakers follow through on their vow to repeal the ACA, according to Politico.

A complete repeal of the health law would eliminate major benefits and protections for an estimated 60 million people with mental illness and substance abuse disorders at a time when the nation is grappling with an opioid abuse epidemic, suicide rates are at an all-time high and there is a serious shortage of psychiatric beds, according to the report.

President-elect Donald Trump, who has indicated he will make repealing and replacing the ACA a top priority when he steps into office, also promised to "dramatically expand access to treatment" as part of his strategy to fight opioid abuse, Politico reported.

Paul Gionfriddo, president of Mental Health America, said a full repeal of the ACA "would be akin to Armageddon" for people with mental illness, according to the report.

"The ACA created the largest expansion of mental health and substance use disorder coverage in a generation," said Michael Botticelli, director of National Drug Control Policy, during a White House briefing, according to Politico. "It's making a real difference in people's lives on a daily basis."

Some GOP leaders who support efforts to repeal and replace the ACA have indicated they will try to preserve protections for people with mental illnesses in a GOP-authored replacement plan. "We'll have some work to do in terms of parity — to maintain that level of coverage for mental health treatment," Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., told Politico.

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Top 40 articles from the past 6 months