Dr. Diane Davis: Support Mental Health Counselors under Medicaid Act

I am a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). The current exclusion of LMHC's from treating Medicaid beneficiaries results in denial of vital mental health services for those in need. With the rise of adolescence and young adult crime and psychological problems, many beneficiaries suffer with a lack of mental health providers in their communities for treatment accessibility. Some beneficiaries are fortunate and find Medicaid eligible providers in their communities; many never receive needed care. LMHC represents over 40% of todays NYC licensed practitioners. Unfortunately, Medicaid has not been modernized to recognize our essential role in today's health delivery system. Our adolescence and young adult psychological problems should be our top priority, and Medicaid should utilize LMHC's to treat mental health disorders before they exacerbate into more serious mental disorders. Our children are suffering with mental health risk behaviors and harming others. Many children are being killed by their peers who have mental disorders. There needs to be more interventions to help these individuals manage these risk behaviors and psychological problems.