A new bill in the Kansas statehouse is aimed at reducing suicides by removing barriers to mental health care. A bipartisan group of senators filed the bill after hearing from the families of people who died by suicide. Those families say that insurance rules delayed needed mental health services. Republican State Senator, Molly Baumgardner says the bill would prevent prior authorization or other insurance requirements that can delay mental health care. The bill would require insurance companies to approve immediate mental health services if a health care provider says it’s necessary. Lawmakers will consider the bill after the legislative session starts next month.
