Telehealth can bridge mental health divide

Iowans are currently grappling with a mental health crisis that demands urgent attention and collective support.

The statistics are alarming: approximately a third of adults in the Hawkeye State reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both last year alone. Yet, despite the growing need for accessible mental health care, Iowa is experiencing a staggering shortage of mental health care providers, with just 13 percent of the population’s needs met across the state.

One contributing factor is the rural-urban divide. According to the 2020 census, more than a third of Iowans live in rural areas– and with most counties in Iowa considered mental health service deserts, many are left without access to essential care.

As the demand for mental health services continues to grow, telehealth services have emerged as a promising avenue to address the shortage of mental health care providers and increase access to support for those in need. Telehealth can bridge the gap by connecting Iowans with qualified mental health professionals, delivering much-needed support to those who may otherwise struggle to access it. It can also reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health support, as individuals can engage in therapy without having to visit a physical office.

Iowa’s governor and state Legislature have worked together over the last year to make mental health care more accessible across the state. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law new policy that will reform the state’s mental health services networks by breaking down administrative barriers. Iowa also passed legislation last year that allows social workers to practice across state lines in an effort to address the workforce shortage and make care more accessible. And in February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced significant investments in grants to provide telemedicine and distance learning services in rural Iowa.

But changes at the federal level may threaten the work being done to make mental health care accessible at the state level. The Biden administration is currently considering a proposed federal rule change to the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MPHAEA) that, if implemented, could hinder patient access to affordable care.

This rule change could, in practice, undermine quality of care for patients. The unintended negative consequences of the rule could exacerbate the mental health crisis – particularly in rural communities – by effectively lowering standards for clinicians and further complicating the process for individuals seeking qualified professionals to assist them.

We should instead invest in action-oriented solutions that will make care more accessible. I urge our policymakers to reject the proposed change to the MHPAEA and instead prioritize investing in telehealth, and bolster our mental health care infrastructure.

Connie Garner is a senior policy director at Foley Hoag, served as senior policy director with the Senate HELP Committee under Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and played a pivotal role in drafting the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.