When Even Lawmakers Struggle to Access Care

I don’t usually watch congressional hearings, but one moment from a January 22 hearing stood out. The CEOs of Anthem BC/BS, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, and Blue Shield of California were questioned by members of Congress about access to care.

During the hearing, Congressman Dr. Greg Murphy (R-NC), a physician, shared his own experience navigating insurance denials for medically necessary treatment. He did not seek special treatment—he went through the same process that patients across the country are expected to navigate.

He was denied eight times.
It took a year and a half to receive the care he needed to survive.

His message was simple: if accessing care is this difficult for someone within the system, what does that mean for everyone else?

What This Means for Mental Health Care

In mental health, these barriers are not uncommon. Individuals and families frequently encounter:

Limited in-network providers
Long waitlists
Session limits or repeated authorizations
High out-of-pocket costs
Coverage denials

When someone is struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, or suicidal thoughts, delays are not just frustrating—they can be harmful.

Mental health parity laws were designed to ensure that mental health care is covered the same way as physical health care. Yet enforcement has been inconsistent. Recently, Kaiser Permanente was fined $28 million by the United States Department of Labor for mental health parity violations related to network access limitations.

Parity means equal access.
When people cannot access care, parity is not being realized.

Why We’re Talking About This

We share this not to criticize, but to acknowledge a reality many individuals experience: accessing mental health care can feel complicated and discouraging.

Seeking help is already a vulnerable step. The system should not make it harder.

While our agency does not currently have openings for new clients, we are happy to help connect individuals with providers who may have availability. If you are feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, reaching out for referrals can be a meaningful first step.

You deserve care. And you deserve access to it.