Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2005

H.R. 1447, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2005, sought to expand the types of mental health professionals eligible for reimbursement under Medicare Part B. The bill would have allowed marriage and family therapists to provide covered services to Medicare beneficiaries, specifically increasing access to mental health care in rural health clinics and hospice programs. By including these professionals in the Medicare system, the legislation aimed to provide seniors with more options for counseling and mental health support while allowing therapists to assist in hospital discharge planning.