05.15.25

Ranking Member Scott Statement on Trump Decision to Abandon Mental Health Care for Americans

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced its plan to abandon mental health parity enforcement.

“Nearly 30 years after the enactment of the bipartisan Mental Health Parity Act, insurance companies and health plans still fail to provide meaningful coverage of behavioral health care.  Rigorous enforcement of this landmark law is more important now than ever before.

“However, rather than build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic final rules that would have helped make the promise of parity a reality, the Trump Administration has instead caved to the health insurance industry’s demands and is turning a cold shoulder to the millions of Americans living with behavioral health conditions.

“We are currently witnessing devastating cuts to behavioral health care research, the proposed elimination of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a House reconciliation bill that slashes Medicaid, and continued Republican attacks on health coverage provided through the Affordable Care Act.Today’s announcement is yet another betrayal of the American people by the Trump Administration and Republicans.   

“During this Mental Health Awareness Month, I urge the Trump Administration and Secretaries Chavez-DeRemer, Kennedy, and Bessent to do the right thing and immediately reverse course by defending and enforcing the final rules on mental health parity.” 

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