Mental Health Care Bill Introduced in the Legislature
Legislation removes occupational licensure barriers that stand in the way of Wisconsinites having access to care
WHAT IS IT
This week, legislation was introduced by Representative Gustafson (R-Neenah) and Senator Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton) that would remove barriers to mental health care by allowing out-of-state providers to practice in Wisconsin. Currently, a mental health provider needs to be licensed in Wisconsin to practice in the state. This bill would allow practitioners from other states to provide care to Wisconsin residents via telehealth. Providers would need to be licensed to practice in their home state, be in good standing, and provide patients with information regarding their credentials.
This legislation should enjoy bi-partisan support too. The concept is modeled after Emergency Order 16, which was signed by Governor Evers in March of 2020 and allowed for out-of-state mental health providers to practice in Wisconsin. However, since the pandemic is officially over, this emergency order is no longer in effect.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
The Governor declared 2023 as the “Year of Mental Health” and with good reason. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that nationally, almost 23% of adults are living with mental health issues, and that increases to 49.5% for children between the ages of 13-18. Wisconsin is no different. However, the Governor also proposed spending $500 million to tackle the issue. The problem in Wisconsin is not a spending issue, it’s an access issue. A 2019 Department of Health Services report estimates that 47% of adults and 37% of youth with mental illness are unserved. Demand has been outpacing supply since the start of the pandemic. The problem is clear, we have a shortage of mental health professionals in Wisconsin.
The Governor declared 2023 as the “Year of Mental Health” and with good reason. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that nationally, almost 23% of adults are living with mental health issues, and that increases to 49.5% for children between the ages of 13-18. Wisconsin is no different. However, the Governor also proposed spending $500 million to tackle the issue. The problem in Wisconsin is not a spending issue, it’s an access issue. A 2019 Department of Health Services report estimates that 47% of adults and 37% of youth with mental illness are unserved. Demand has been outpacing supply since the start of the pandemic. The problem is clear, we have a shortage of mental health professionals in Wisconsin.
This bill tackles this problem by increasing access to mental health services without increasing state spending one cent. The solution to problems is not more government spending. In fact, in most cases like this bill, the problem is solved by getting the government out of the way.
WHAT IS NEXT?
In the coming weeks and months, IRG will amplify the voices of Wisconsinites from across the state, bringing awareness to the mental health crisis. IRG will continue to show that healthcare problems can be solved with free market solutions instead of government spending and programs.