For immediate release: July 10, 2017

“The Collaborative Family Healthcare Association urges members of congress to pass the
Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2017 (HR 3032). Our organization’s efforts to
lower healthcare costs through the integration of behavioral and medical care hinge on
access to a workforce that is recognized by all payers of healthcare. This bill would
significantly improve access to mental health care by adding Marriage and Family
Therapists and other accredited Master’s level counselors as Medicare approved
providers. Having a qualified, robust workforce will enable our members to continue to
build integrated care programs across the nation that lower costs and improve care
outcomes by breaking down the silos of mental and medical care.”

About the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (cfha.net)
The Collaborative Family Healthcare Association is a member-driven non-profit
organization dedicated to making the integration of mental and physical health the
standard of care nationally. Our interdisciplinary membership of physicians, patients,
clinicians, educators, nurses, behavioral health professionals, foundations, payers,
advocates and researchers work to promote comprehensive and cost-effective models
of healthcare delivery that integrate mind and body, individual and family, patients,
providers and communities.

Media Contact:
Neftali Serrano, PsyD
Executive Director
nserrano@cfha.net
Twitter: @cfha_tweet