Op-ed: Telehealth is the first step to addressing our nation’s mental health crisis
Our nation is battling a severe mental health crisis — only exacerbated and exposed by the pandemic — and it is past time our government takes action to address and remedy the issue. Thankfully, this administration has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into improving care. Yet many communities, particularly in rural states like North Dakota, often still lack access to mental health care.
Right now, as part of its efforts to address the mental health crisis, Joe Biden’s administration is considering a federal policy change to the Mental Health Parity Act. While promoted as a means of increasing access to care, the actual implications could be detrimental — making it even more difficult for patients to find appropriate care.
The proposal seeks to increase the number of providers by lowering the standards to be considered a “qualified” provider.
Instead of taking shortcuts to address the issue by compromising our health care system’s high standing, the administration should implement real solutions. It’s no secret we need to expand our mental health workforce, but it’s often overlooked that 61 percent of these shortages are in rural areas. When rural residents take the brave step of seeking help, they often find that they can’t get it.
Oftentimes, the stigma associated with mental health conditions deters individuals from seeking care, leaving more than 50 percent of those in need of care without treatment. By expanding telehealth — and allowing individuals to undergo treatment from the comfort of their homes — these specific barriers to seeking help could be avoided entirely.
What’s proven to be especially beneficial in all communities, including rural communities, is access to telehealth care. Even as the pandemic has come to an end and in-person visits to the doctor have become more regular, 37 percent of mental health care visits are still occurring virtually. This type of care is working, and we must do more to improve it.
During the pandemic, certain flexibilities were offered to expand the use of telehealth, and while some were made permanent, some of those flexibilities are set to expire — including geographic location. Rather than reverting to pre-pandemic standards, the administration should take advantage of the practices that are already working and find ways to further improve them.
In places like North Dakota, where 46 of our 53 counties are considered to be mental health professional shortage areas, geographic restrictions can cause serious issues. If there is a qualified provider in South Dakota, Montana, or Wyoming offering telehealth care, there’s no reason someone from rural North Dakota should be barred from seeking care.
One of the most critical components of telehealth care, though, is broadband coverage. Expanding rural broadband should be a top priority for this administration. Of course, improved broadband is beneficial for a number of reasons — but it would also vastly improve telehealth accessibility.
I am pleased by the Biden administration’s commitment to mental health, but there are better ways to address this crisis. Rather than compromise our existing standards, we must implement solutions proven to work. Telehealth is just one solution to a crisis that requires a multifaceted approach. Together, we can improve and increase access to care to build a better future for our children and grandchildren.
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Heidi Heitkamp (D) is a former U.S. senator from North Dakota.
