Senator Hammerstrom offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 18.

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to include the services of licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists among services covered under Medicare.

            Whereas, Mental health and emotional stability are key components of every person's overall health and well-being.  The correlation between mental health and physical health is well established.  However, there are numerous situations in which mental health and mental health services are considered far differently than physical maladies; and

            Whereas, Under the current practices of our Medicare system, several types of mental health and counseling services are not covered.  This omission is especially inappropriate in view of the fact that senior citizens often face more challenges to their emotional and mental well-being than other age groups.  Senior citizens suffer from depression at higher rates than many other age groups, for example; and

            Whereas, Congress has before it a measure that would address this gap in Medicare coverage.  The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, S. 310, would amend the Medicare system to provide for the coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Part B of Medicare.  The impact of adding this coverage would be beneficial not only to countless individuals and families, but also to the Medicare system through the improved overall health it would encourage; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to include the services of licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists among services covered under Medicare; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.