FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Denver, CO

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY SUPPORTS INTRODUCTION OF LANDMARK ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BILL
NAN supports the introduction of legislation to increase access to behavioral, psychological, and mental health services in rural areas.

August 4, 2023 – The National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) supports Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) in the introduction of the Accelerating the Development of Advanced Psychology Trainees (ADAPT) Act. This bill, as detailed in the press release from Senator Bennet’s office, will “establish Medicare coverage for psychology trainees, allowing nearly 4,000 trainees to bill for services provided under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. This legislation will help rural areas across the country expand access to services for seniors, improve recruitment of mental and behavioral health providers, and maintain the mental health care workforce.”

“NAN’s connections made through our annual visits to Capitol Hill have allowed for our organization to offer full support of the bill and serve as a resource to representatives and congressional committees working on legislation that has the potential to impact and advance our field,” said William Perry, Ph.D., Executive Director and Past President of NAN.

The ADAPT Act begins to address the pressing need to ensure that all individuals who require neuropsychological assessment and treatment can access these services without undue barriers. Neuropsychological evaluations are essential in diagnosing and treating a wide range of neurological and psychological disorders, including traumatic brain injuries, dementia, stroke, and learning disabilities, among others.

“NAN stands ready to collaborate with Senators Bennet and Barrasso, other stakeholders, and our members to offer insights and expertise during the legislative process. We believe that the ADAPT Act can serve as a model for advancing evidence-based healthcare policy and improving the lives of countless Americans,” said John Randolph, Ph.D., current President of NAN.

As an organization dedicated to advancing the field of neuropsychology and improving the well-being of patients through high-quality assessment and interventions, NAN is fully aligned with the objectives of this legislation. We believe that the ADAPT Act will:

1. Enhance Accessibility: By removing financial and geographical obstacles, the bill will grant more individuals the ability to access specialized neuropsychological services, ensuring timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment plans.
2. Promote Equity: The bill's focus on improving access to underserved populations and rural communities will help address disparities in healthcare services and outcomes.
3. Foster Research and Innovation: By increasing the reach of neuropsychological services, the bill will generate valuable data for research and innovations, contributing to the continual improvement of neuropsychological practice.

ABOUT NAN
The National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) was founded in 1975 to advance neuropsychology as a science and health profession, to promote human welfare, and to generate and disseminate knowledge of brain-behavior relationships. Neuropsychological assessment is the most sensitive technique in identifying cognitive impairment and is commonly used and accepted in differentiating cognitive changes associated with aging versus neurological dysfunction. NAN has become a vibrant organization of the world’s leading scientist-practitioners, academics, clinicians and researchers in the field of brain functioning. The association’s current membership is nearly 3,500 with representation by 24 countries.

For more information about NAN and its initiatives, please visit www.nanonline.org.