Slide 1: Title Slide

Title: Healthcare Policy Assignment: H.R. 945 Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 Name: Christina DeLeon Course: NR451 - Fall Session

Slide 2: Introduction to H.R. 945

  • Title: Overview of H.R. 945: Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019
  • Content:
    • H.R. 945 aims to amend the Social Security Act (XVIII) to include coverage for:
      • Marriage and family therapy services
      • Mental health counseling services
      • Post-hospitalization counseling under Medicare Part B
    • Source: (GovTrack, 2020)

Slide 3: Purpose of H.R. 945

  • Title: Purpose of the Act
  • Content:
    • Expand access to mental health services through Medicare Part B.
    • Address gaps in coverage for mental health and counseling services.
    • Support family and marriage counseling as part of comprehensive mental health care.

Slide 4: Current Coverage Limitations

  • Title: Current Limitations Under the Social Security Act
  • Content:
    • Lack of coverage for marriage and family therapy services under Medicare.
    • Inadequate support for post-hospitalization mental health counseling.
    • The necessity to broaden the scope of covered mental health services for better patient outcomes.

Slide 5: Impact on Professional Nursing Practice Standards

  • Title: Potential Impact on Nursing Practice Standards if Passed
  • Content:
    • Decrease in Mental Strain: Enhanced access to counseling services for families and marriages.
    • Improved Post-Hospital Care: Availability of counseling services leading to better recovery and mental well-being.
    • Overall Happiness: Increased patient and family satisfaction with comprehensive post-hospital mental health support.

Slide 6: Consequences if Not Passed

  • Title: Potential Impact on Nursing Practice Standards if Not Passed
  • Content:
    • Increase in Mental Strain: Unavailability of essential mental health counseling could lead to increased stress among patients and their families.
    • Possible Depression: Lack of post-hospitalization counseling could result in poor mental health outcomes, including depression.
    • Challenges for Nurses: Increased burden on nursing staff to manage mental health crises without adequate support.

Slide 7: Impact on My Nursing Practice

  • Title: How H.R. 945 Impacts My Nursing Practice
  • Content:
    • Comprehensive Care: Ensuring that all mental health needs of patients are met, particularly those with chronic mental illness.
    • Hospital-Based Services: Implementing services to assist patients with mental health needs during and after hospital stays.
    • Enhanced Collaboration: Working closely with mental health counselors and therapists to provide holistic care.

Slide 8: Conclusion

  • Title: Summary and Final Thoughts
  • Content:
    • H.R. 945 has the potential to significantly improve access to mental health services under Medicare.
    • Passing the act would align healthcare services with comprehensive mental health needs, benefiting patients and families.
    • The nursing profession stands to gain from better support systems, allowing for more effective mental health care delivery.

Slide 9: References

  • Title: References
  • Content:
    • GovTrack. (2020). H.R. 945: Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019. Link to the source
    • Additional references to support the presentation (if applicable).