AHA Letter in Support of the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act

July 22, 2025

Dear Representatives Tonko, Huizenga, Doggett and Fitzpatrick:

On behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers — and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups — the American Hospital Association (AHA) is pleased to support your legislation, the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act.

This bill would eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services for Medicare patients. As we work to further integrate physical and behavioral health to better address the nation’s behavioral health needs, one major obstacle to parity remains in the Medicare program — the 190-day lifetime limit on coverage for certain inpatient psychiatric treatment. As the nation’s population ages and an increasing number of seniors and people with disabilities seek inpatient care to address their behavioral health needs, now is the time to repeal this discriminatory policy and ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can receive necessary inpatient psychiatric care.

The AHA believes physical and mental health care are inextricably linked, and everyone deserves access to high-quality behavioral health care. We know that as a country we need to prioritize resources that support behavioral health needs. These investments will not only help to stymie the wave of unmet demand for behavioral health services but also improve America’s overall health.

We are grateful for your leadership on this issue and stand ready to work with you to enact this important legislation.

Sincerely,

/s/

Lisa Kidder Hrobsky
Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Political Affairs