Last year, suicide remained the third leading cause of death among young people age 10 to 24—while 13% of high school girls and 6% of boys attempted suicide . Also in 2023, only about half of Americans who needed mental-health care were able to receive it. It’s why the Biden-Harris administration will announce a new final ruling on Monday that aims to make it easier for Americans to access mental health treatment .
“These numbers are simply unacceptable,” Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden told reporters in a Friday media call about the final ruling. “Behind these statistics, of course, are real people who are struggling, and almost everyone knows someone—a family member, a friend, or colleague—struggling with mental health challenges.” While we know that treatment works, she added, “too many Americans struggle” to get the care they need, as it’s so often not covered by their insurance.
The passing of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act ( MHPAEA ) into law was an attempt to address the issue of health insurers making it difficult for consumers to access in-network mental health coverage. But in the years since, Tanden said, insurers have been evading the mandate of the law, and it’s continued to be difficult for consumers to access that care. “Consumers are often forced to seek out-of-network care at significantly higher costs and pay out of pocket, or defer care altogether,” she noted, emphasizing that privately insured people.