Bill would expand MU to behavioral health, substance abuse providers

Two legislators reintroduced a bill that would make behavioral health and substance misuse treatment professionals eligible for Meaningful Use.

Reps. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) reintroduced a revamped Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act that would expand the types of professionals eligible to receive incentive payments to clinical psychologists and licensed social workers. The bill also expands the types of eligible hospitals that can receive incentive payments to include mental health treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals and substance misuse treatment facilities.

Supporters of the bill, such as the Behavioral Health IT Coalition voiced its support for the bill saying it would allow hospital emergency departments to more effectively triage patients; promote integration of psychology and mental health in primary care settings; and reduce adverse drug-to-drug interactions and duplicative tests.