Kennedy highlights $34 million for Ascension Parish, discusses economic growth with local leaders
Sep 08 2026
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today spoke with members of the Ascension Chamber of Commerce about Ascension Parish’s economic growth and industrial expansion, as well as his work to support flood protection, infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing competitiveness in the region.
Kennedy secured $34 million in fiscal year 2026 for projects directly affecting Ascension Parish, including $23 million for the Upper Barataria Basin flood protection project, $6 million to raise a flood-prone stretch of Airline Highway between Sorrento and I-10 and $5 million for the Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Study.
“God blessed Louisiana with the most God-fearing, hardworking and fun-loving people in America. I enjoyed hearing from folks in Ascension Parish today about how we can keep creating jobs, attracting new businesses and growing Louisiana’s economy. I’ll keep fighting to make Louisiana the best place in America to work, raise a family, and chase the American Dream,” said Kennedy.
Ascension Parish has attracted billions of dollars in new private investment. Hyundai Motor Group announced in March 2025, a $5.8 billion investment to build its first North American steel production facility in Ascension Parish, which is expected to support more than 1,300 direct jobs.
CF Industries, JERA and Mitsui are also developing Blue Point One, a major low-carbon ammonia facility in Ascension Parish. The companies’ broke ground on the project on August 26, 2026. The facility is expected to be the world’s largest low-carbon ammonia plant upon completion.
Kennedy has delivered key funding and other important wins for Ascension Parish in his role as an appropriator, including:
- $23 million for the Upper Barataria Basin project to reduce flood risks in Ascension and six other Louisiana parishes.
- $6 million for the Ascension Parish Airline Highway Raising project to raise a flood-prone section of Airline Highway between Sorrento and I-10.
- $5 million for the Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Study to develop recommendations for flood risk reduction, navigation, and ecosystem restoration throughout the Lower Mississippi River Basin.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $219.5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid Louisiana communities recovering from Hurricanes Barry, Delta, Francine, Ida, Isaac, Katrina and Laura, saltwater intrusion and the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
“Louisiana has been through more than its fair share of natural disasters, but our people never stay down. This $219.5 million will help communities across our state repair schools and critical infrastructure, cover recovery costs and better protect Louisianians from future disasters,” said Kennedy.
The FEMA aid will fund the following:
- $53,074,347 to the Jefferson Parish Public School System, Fisher Middle School, for permanent work as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $29,052,779 to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) for management costs as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
- $17,271,871 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Debris Removal operations as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $11,403,690 to fund the elevation of 44 flood-prone residential structures in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, to decrease repetitive flood damage, reduce future losses and lower the risk to human life.
- $11,138,619 to the Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative, Inc., for emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $10,316,855 to the Lafourche Parish School Board for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $8,772,891 to Plaquemines Parish for Bellevue Pump Station permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $6,443,112 to Cameron Parish for Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Debris Removal operations as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $4,898,653 to the Office of Risk Management for the Grand Isle State Park Fishing Pier project as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $4,581,622 to the City of Kenner for permanent repairs to Kenner City Hall Annex Building A as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $4,452,461 to The Society of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles for permanent repairs to St. Louis High School Building Contents as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $4,397,099 to Lafourche Parish School Board for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $4,106,873 to Terrebonne Parish for an Electric Transmission and Distribution System as a result of Hurricane Francine.
- $4,033,949 to Lafourche Parish for the Magnolia Pump Station as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $3,508,478 to the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District for permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $3,486,261 to the City of Kenner for permanent repairs to Kenner City Hall Annex Building B as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $3,104,850 to the West Carroll Police Jury for debris removal operations as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $2,768,754 to Lafourche Parish for Homeplace Pump Station permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $2,487,000 to St. Charles Parish to fund the purchase and installation of two permanent generators to provide emergency backup power to water treatment plants, helping ensure continuous operations during power outages.
- $1,828,182 to Terrebonne Parish for Emergency Support: Private Property Debris Removal Program as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,778,157 to the Conquering Word Ministries for Chef Menteur Campus permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,540,876 to the Lafourche Parish for Mobley Pump Station permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $1,465,490 to the Roman Catholic Church/Archdiocese of New Orleans for St. Martin Manor permanent repairs as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
- $1,372,108 to DeSoto Parish for Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Debris Removal operations as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $1,285,340 to fund the elevation of the flood-prone Ashland Substation in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, to reduce power losses caused by flooding.
- $1,031,602 to the Claiborne Electric Cooperative, Inc., for permanent repairs as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $977,067 to Plaquemines Parish for the management of Public Assistance grants as a result of saltwater intrusion.
- $949,028 to Hamilton Christian Academy to fund emergency protective measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $938,798 to the City of Mandeville to fund emergency measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $852,958 to the Greater Lafourche Port Commission to fund costs related to the management of Public Assistance grants as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $850,698 to Plaquemines Parish to fund park building exterior, benches, bleachers, fencing, lighting and other related components’ repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $727,774 to Terrebonne Parish to fund pipes and other related components’ repairs or replacements as a result of Hurricane Francine.
- $672,140 to Terrebonne Parish to fund emergency protective measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of Hurricane Francine.
- $670,144 to the town of Lake Providence to fund jurisdiction-wide debris removal operations as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $664,440 to the City of Lafayette for the Emergency Generators Procurement Project as a result of Hurricane Barry.
- $639,289 to the State of Louisiana Facility Planning and Control to fund building exterior, interior and other related components repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
- $625,541 to Cameron Parish to fund building exterior repair and building interior repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $616,376 to the Jefferson Parish Public School System to fund emergency protective measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of Hurricane Francine.
- $568,682 to Cameron Parish to fund costs related to the management of Public Assistance grants as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $568,600 to the St. Tammany Parish Residential Elevation Project to fund the management costs for St. Tammany Parish to oversee contracts, procurement, processing invoices, submitting reimbursement requests, monitoring project progress, preparing quarterly reports and completing closeout activities.
- $544,058 to East Carroll Parish to fund jurisdiction-wide debris removal as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $508,435 to Terrebonne Parish Recreation District #7 to fund costs related to the management of Public Assistance grants as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $479,596 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to fund emergency protective measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $449,869 to the Franciscan Ministries of Our Lady Health System to fund emergency protective measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $447,824 to Jefferson Parish to fund emergency measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $422,017 to Ursuline Nuns of the Parish of Orleans, Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, to fund building exterior and interior repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $415,841 to St. John the Baptist Parish to fund building exterior, building interior and other related components repair or replacement as a result of Ida.
- $403,666 to St. John the Baptist Residential Elevations to fund acquisitions, elevations, mitigation reconstruction and floodproofing as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $385,114 to Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government - Bayou Terrebonne & Bayou Cane Berm Project to fund Flood Control and Shoreline Stabilization as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $341,023 to the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District to fund components of water control facility repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Francine.
- $322,561 to Community Center and Playground Dist.2 Ward 4 to fund costs related to the management of Public Assistance grants as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $310,020 to The Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lafayette, Inc. to fund building exterior and interior repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Delta.
- $309,736 to the Terrebonne Parish District Attorneys’ Office to fund costs related to the management of Public Assistance grants as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $287,700 to East Baton Rouge - Beechwood Lateral Channel Improvements to fund drainage and stormwater management as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $261,399 to Terrebonne Parish to fund emergency protective measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $237,615 to East Baton Rouge - Channel and Subsurface Capacity Improvements to fund drainage and stormwater management as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $220,605 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to fund costs related to the management of Public Assistance grants as a result of Hurricane Francine.
- $205,016 to the Concordia Parish Drainage Project to fund drainage and stormwater management as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
- $203,975 to Cameron Parish to fund building exterior repair and building interior repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $203,754 to New Providence Baptist Church to fund building interior contents, repairs or replacements as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $190,264 to Jackson Parish for generators and emergency power as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $181,238 to the City of West Monroe to fund emergency protective measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $176,672 to the Louisiana Department of Military to fund emergency protective measures to lessen the immediate threat to public health, safety and property as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $174,433 to Cameron Parish to fund building exterior, building interior and exterior site repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Laura.
- $164,624 to Jefferson Parish to fund Utility Protective Measures as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $158,166 to Lincoln Parish to fund generators and emergency power as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $158,028 to the Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund for building repairs or replacements as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
- $155,805 to the Jefferson Parish Public School System for contents repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Francine.
- $151,500 to East Baton Rouge Avenues G and H Ditch Improvements for drainage and stormwater management as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $144,997 to Conquering Word Ministries for building exterior and building interior repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $144,108 to the Office of Risk Management for building exterior and building interior repair or replacement as a result of the Severe Winter Storm Fern.
- $144,064 to St. Charles Parish 4611 HMGP Ormond Oaks Channel Improvements for drainage and stormwater management as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $143,268 to the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board for water treatment plant repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
- $134,694 to the Lafourche Parish School Board to fund insurance adjustment as a result of Hurricane Isaac.
- $124,350 to St. Charles Parish to fund the subrecipient's management costs for St. Charles Parish to install two generators.
- $106,134 to United Houma Nation, Inc. for school contents repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $101,290 to Plaquemines Parish for coastal shoreline protection devices repair or replacement as a result of Hurricane Ida.
- $64,267 to the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association for management costs for South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association developing and overseeing contracts and procurement, processing invoices, submitting reimbursement requests, monitoring project progress, preparing quarterly reports and completing closeout activities.
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today welcomed the Artemis II crew to NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and celebrated the Louisiana workers who helped power the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.
Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen visited Michoud as part of a nationwide tour thanking the people who supported their historic journey. The crew completed a 10-day mission around the Moon in April, traveling the farthest from Earth than any humans in history.
“For the first time in 50 years, Americans traveled around the Moon—and showed the world what American guts, brains and hard work can accomplish. The Artemis II crew made America darn proud, as did the Louisiana workers at Michoud who helped build the rocket that carried them. America is reaching for the heavens again, and Louisiana is leading the way,” said Kennedy.
Michoud played a critical role in the Artemis II mission. Louisiana workers built the 212-foot core stage of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket which helped send the Artemis II crew toward the Moon. Michoud workers also assembled major structures for the Orion Spacecraft, including the crew module pressure vessel that formed the underlying framework of the capsule carrying the Artemis II astronauts.
In July 2026, the city of New Orleans launched the Michoud Innovation Corridor, an economic development initiative anchored by NASA’s Michoud facility that aims to attract new aerospace, advanced manufacturing, research and technology investment to New Orleans East.
Michoud’s workers are already helping build hardware for future Artemis missions as America works toward returning astronauts to the lunar surface and reaching deeper into space.
Madisonville, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke with members of the Tangipahoa Chamber about their priorities, including improving strengthening local infrastructure, supporting Louisiana businesses and creating jobs.
“Nothing beats being with my people in Louisiana. I enjoyed hearing directly from folks in Tangipahoa Parish about what’s on their minds and what they want for their communities. More families and businesses are calling Tangipahoa home, and that’s good news for Louisiana. I’m proud to work with them to keep our state moving forward,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy has worked to deliver key wins for Tangipahoa Parish in his role as an appropriator, including:
- Delivering $8.2 million for Tangipahoa Parish projects in Fiscal Year 2026.
- Securing $5 million for the Airport Road and Highway 3158 Roundabout Project to improve access and traffic flow around the Hammond Airport, Cypress Pointe Hospital and other key areas.
- Providing more than $2 million for an Emergency Operations Mobile Command Center to support emergency and disaster response in Tangipahoa Parish.
- Supporting Louisiana flood insurance policyholders by voting to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) while continuing to push for a long-term reauthorization and an end to Risk Rating 2.0.
Kennedy also discussed continued growth along the I-12 corridor and his work to ensure Louisiana has the infrastructure to compete, create jobs, attract businesses and keep its economy growing.
Madisonville, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke with members of the Houma, Lafourche and Thibodaux Chambers of Commerce and the South Central Industrial Association about priorities for the Bayou Region, including coastal protection, flood insurance and economic growth.
Kennedy also met with Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron and Lafourche Parish President Mitch Orgeron to discuss flood insurance, maritime infrastructure and permitting reform.
“I had a great time speaking with the good folks of Terrebonne and Lafourche. They’ve got plenty of common sense, and they know what their communities need. The Bayou Region is a powerhouse for Louisiana, and I’ll keep fighting to protect these communities and help their businesses and families thrive,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy has supported funding for several Bayou Region priorities, including:
- $245.47 million for 14 flood protection and coastal restoration projects across South Louisiana, including $131.5 million for Morganza to the Gulf, which will help protect approximately 200,000 people and 52,000 structures in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.
- $3.5 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund in the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water bill— which is double the President’s budget request. The fund supports the dredging and maintenance of navigation channels that Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes rely on to move cargo.
- More than $220 million in FEMA grants in 2026 for Hurricane Ida recovery projects in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.
- $1.65 million for the Houma Navigational Canal deepening project to continue design work to deepen the channel from 15 to 20 feet, allowing ships to carry more cargo.
Kennedy and the parish presidents also discussed the need to reform federal permitting rules to help Louisiana complete critical coastal protection, navigation, port, highway and energy projects more quickly. Kennedy introduced the SPEED Act to streamline the permitting process and help prevent unnecessary delays to important projects.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that the U.S. Senate passed his bipartisan Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act, which he introduced with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) to update the dollar threshold for certain state-law lawsuits between parties from different states to be heard in federal court.
Federal diversity jurisdiction allows federal courts to hear state-law disputes between parties from different states. To prevent federal courts from being flooded with lower-value state-law claims, Congress requires these lawsuits to meet a minimum dollar amount, known as the amount in controversy requirement.
Congress last updated that threshold in 1996, when it set the amount at $75,000. Because of inflation, $75,000 in 1996 is worth more than $150,000 today. The Judicial Conference of the United States, where federal judges meet to discuss policies affecting the courts, recommended the amount be increased to $150,000 in 2021.
The bipartisan Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act would raise the federal diversity jurisdiction threshold from $75,000 to $150,000 and adjust the threshold for inflation every 10 years.
“Federal judges already have plenty on their plate, and Congress ought to respect their limited time and resources. Our bipartisan bill updates a 30-year-old threshold, preserves the role of state courts and makes our federal judiciary more efficient. I’m glad the Senate passed this common-sense fix,” said Kennedy.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) are cosponsors of the legislation.
Background:
The Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act would:
- Raise the amount in controversy requirement from $75,000 to $150,000.
- Index the threshold to inflation every 10 years.
- Help prevent federal courts from being burdened with lower-value state-law claims.
- Preserve the balance between state and federal courts by keeping more state-law claims in state courts.
- Improve judicial efficiency by helping federal courts focus on disputes that are more appropriate for federal jurisdiction.
Full text of the Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act is available here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) applauded Senate passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation honoring the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) by imposing tougher economic penalties on Russia and the countries helping finance Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine while continuing economic pressure on Iran.
For years, Kennedy has argued that the surest way to change Putin’s behavior is to deprive him of the money funding his war machine. This legislation carries forward that approach by increasing sanctions on Russia and authorizing tariffs on countries that continue to purchase significant amounts of Russian oil and natural gas, thereby cutting off one of the Kremlin’s most important sources of revenue. The legislation would also extend sanctions authorities targeting Iran’s energy and weapons programs.
“Lindsey Graham understood that Vladimir Putin is not interested in lectures–he’s interested in money. The best way to change Putin’s behavior is to hit him in his wallet, and this bill does exactly that. It will make Russia and the countries bankrolling Putin’s war on Ukraine pay a much steeper price while cutting off money that fuel’s Iran’s weapons programs. Passing it honors Lindsey’s legacy and strengthens America’s national security,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy has consistently supported stronger economic pressure on Russia, arguing that sanctions must impose real costs on Putin and those enabling his aggression. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act builds on that principle by targeting Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions, and sanctions evaders, while giving the President additional authority to impose tariffs on countries that continue financing Russia’s war through energy purchases. The legislation also maintains pressure on the Iranian regime by targeting its energy and weapons activities.
Background:
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 would:
- Impose sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, Russian financial institutions, and others supporting Putin’s war on Ukraine.
- Target individuals and entities helping Russia evade existing sanctions.
- Authorize the President to impose tariffs on countries that continue purchasing significant amounts of Russian oil and natural gas.
- Extend sanctions authorities targeting Iran’s oil revenues and weapons programs.
- Increase economic pressure on Russia and those helping sustain its war against Ukraine while maintaining pressure on the Iranian regime.
Full text of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is available here.
Kennedy calls for action on the SAVE America Act: “When you have differences in opinion, vote”
Aug 04 2026
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) called for a vote on the SAVE America Act in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“Let me tell you what I think of when I think of the SAVE Act. I think of integrity in American elections.
“Now, you don’t have to be a senior at Caltech to know that the American people, no matter what your political philosophy is—Democrat, Republican, independent, socialist, communist, whatever—you wonder with elections now. You wonder about the integrity.
“I mean, I don’t know how widespread, if at all, this is, but in New Jersey we just discovered that the entire population of Bolivia is registered to vote in New Jersey. That’s a bit of an overstatement, but after saying there’s no problem with our vote rolls, we discover stuff like this.”
. . .
“Look, if America’s going to survive, in terms of your party, you’ve got to be willing to lose and accept that you lost. In order to do that, you’ve got to trust in the election. So, when I think of the SAVE Act, I’m thinking of election integrity."
. . .
“We have a budget resolution that was sent over to us by the House. A budget resolution can only deal with money. And I think we should take it up. . . . And I think part of it needs to be election integrity.”
. . .
“But we can’t do it unless we can vote. And it would be nice if we could all agree. It would be nice if we can all have meetings, talk about it, give and take. I’m all for that. But right now, it’s not realistic, because people have differences of opinion. You know what you do when you have a difference of opinion? You vote. That’s why God made votes. That’s why God made the United States Senate.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) called on the Senate to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, a bill that would target Russian oil revenues to combat Vladimir Putin’s assault on Russia, in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“The Senate needs to pass the Russian sanctions bill, and we need to do it now. We have the votes. Let’s vote.
“Ukraine has Putin down and is choking him. We need to help Ukraine choke him to death. I’m sorry the people of Russia are having to undergo what they’re undergoing. I’m doubly sorry for the people of Ukraine. But it’s not going to stop until Putin understands, and we make him understand, that the costs of his barbarism outweigh the benefits.”
. . .
“This will cut off Putin’s cash flow. One simple bill. We need to do it, and we need to do it now, and we need to vote. We need to stop talking and start voting.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
Kennedy, Heinrich introduce bipartisan bill to cut red tape delaying mental health treatment
Jul 28 2026
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in introducing the bipartisan Increasing Mental Health Options Act to eliminate outdated Medicare rules that delay mental health treatment for seniors and improve access to behavioral health care.
Current Medicare rules require psychologists to obtain a physician’s approval before providing services in certain treatment settings, creating unnecessary delays for patients seeking care. This bipartisan legislation would remove that outdated requirement while preserving existing requirements for psychologists to coordinate and consult with patients’ physicians. The bill would also encourage psychologists to serve rural and underserved communities by making them eligible for Medicare bonus payments in mental health professional shortage areas.
“Medicare patients should not have to jump through hoops to get mental health treatment. Our bill will cut needless red tape so psychologists can treat patients sooner, especially in rural communities where mental health professionals are in short supply,” said Kennedy.
“New Mexicans should have access to timely, high-quality mental healthcare whenever and wherever they need it. By expanding Medicare-covered treatment settings and encouraging more psychologists to practice where they're needed most, my Increasing Mental Health Options Act will help Medicare patients get the care they need sooner, in their home community. This is a commonsense step to ensure every New Mexican can get the mental healthcare they need, close to home,” said Heinrich.
"One in three newly admitted nursing home residents arrives already struggling with depression or anxiety, yet their path to timely help is often blocked by an outdated Medicare provision. Current Medicare rules prohibit psychologists from working with patients in skilled nursing facilities, partial hospitalization programs, and similar settings until treatment is approved by a physician, needlessly delaying care. APA Services applauds Congresswoman Malliotakis and Senator Heinrich for introducing the bipartisan Increasing Mental Health Options Act to remove this barrier to prompt, effective treatment,” said Arthur C. Evans, Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association
Background:
The Increasing Mental Health Options Act would:
- Allow psychologists to independently provide Medicare-covered services in all treatment settings without first obtaining unnecessary physician approval.
- Make psychologists eligible for Medicare bonus payments when they provide services in communities with shortages of mental health professionals.
- Maintain existing requirements for psychologists to consult and coordinate with patients’ physicians when appropriate.
The bill would not expand psychologists’ scope of practice, change state licensing laws, alter the services Medicare covers or modify existing physician consultation requirements.
Full text of the Increasing Mental Health Options Act is available here.
