As a valued member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), your advocacy is crucial in ensuring that the services our field provides remain accessible to those who rely on them. Today, we are urging you to take just two minutes to contact your Representative and ask them to support H.R. 10073, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act.

The current landscape for Medicare provider payments is concerning. In fact, Medicare payments today are estimated to be 26% lower than they were in 2001 when adjusted for inflation. The scheduled 2.8% cut to Medicare payments set to take effect in January would only exacerbate this issue, potentially reducing access to care and causing financial strain for providers who may no longer be able to accept Medicare patients.

This is where H.R. 10073 comes in. This bipartisan legislation would prevent the upcoming 2.8% payment cut and provide a 1.9% increase in Medicare payment updates. This increase would help offset about half of the projected inflationary costs that clinicians will face in the coming year. While a longer-term solution to the challenges faced by Medicare providers is needed, H.R. 10073 is a critical step in the right direction to ensure that Medicare providers can continue to serve their patients effectively.

The impact of these payment cuts could be significant in our field, particularly as many of our member programs rely on Medicare funding to provide vital services to adolescents and families. Without adequate compensation, providers may find it increasingly difficult to sustain their operations, potentially reducing access to mental health and therapeutic care for those who need it most.

Already, over 13,000 psychologists have sent messages to Congress advocating for this issue. NATSAP joins them in supporting this important legislation, working alongside a wide array of healthcare provider organizations to ensure that Medicare payment cuts do not become a reality.

NATSAP encourages you to take a moment today to contact your Representative and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 10073. Your action today can make a difference in securing a sustainable future for our field and for the patients who depend on us. To learn more and send a message to your Representative, please visit the official Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act page.

Thank you for your continued advocacy and commitment to improving access to care for those who need it most!