Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act reintroduced in House
Rep. Tim Kennedy—an occupational therapist—leads House bill to expand Medicare access to OT mental health services
This week, Representatives Tim Kennedy (D-NY) and Zach Nunn (R-IA) reintroduced H.R. 4037, the bipartisan Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill aims to expand access to occupational therapy services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders under Medicare.
For the first time, the legislation is being championed in the House by Rep. Tim Kennedy—an occupational therapist himself. His leadership brings a unique, firsthand understanding of the value OT practitioners in behavioral health settings and strengthens the push to secure long-overdue recognition for this work in Medicare.
Although Medicare already allows coverage of OT services for individuals with psychiatric conditions, many beneficiaries face unnecessary barriers to accessing care. Occupational therapy practitioners remain underutilized in the mental and behavioral health workforce, often due to limited awareness around their role in addressing these needs.
H.R. 4037 would help address this gap by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct outreach and education to relevant stakeholders, ensuring better recognition of OT’s role in treating mental health and substance use disorders. By clarifying coverage and billing procedures, the bill aims to eliminate persistent barriers and expand access to care.
Occupational therapy is already being delivered in settings where its holistic approach can significantly improve daily functioning, psychological well-being, and quality of life, including community mental health centers, certified community behavioral health clinics, partial hospitalization programs, ACT teams, shelters, and correctional facilities. This bill ensures occupational therapy practitioners are utilized to their fullest potential, and that patients receive the care they are entitled to under Medicare.
AOTA Chief Executive Officer Katie Jordan, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA said of the bill’s introduction, “We are deeply grateful Representative Tim Kennedy and Representative Zach Nunn for their leadership and commitment to expanding access to care and strengthening our nation’s mental health system. Occupational therapy was born in mental health, and today it remains a vital—yet underutilized—part of mental health services. The Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act is a critical step toward ensuring Medicare beneficiaries can access the full scope of occupational therapy services to support their mental well-being,”
This legislation reflects growing momentum in Congress to strengthen the behavioral health workforce by fully leveraging occupational therapy. AOTA will work to support passage of this legislation and continue working to ensure lawmakers recognize OT’s essential role in addressing the nation’s mental health and substance use challenges.
Take Action: Urge Congress to Support the OT Mental Health Parity Act
Help build support for this critical legislation by contacting your Members of Congress and asking them to co-sponsor H.R. 4037, the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Parity Act.
Click here to send a message through AOTA’s Legislative Action Center!