The Iowa House of Representatives passed a bipartisan measure last week aimed at improving mental health access in the state.

Representative Guy Vander Linden tells KNIA/KRLS News legislators realize the need to increase access to care for individuals dealing with mental illness. According to Vander Linden, the bill increases access to mental health services and creates new services for urban and rural communities in Iowa by removing the statewide bed cap and adding new services to the core list required by Iowa’s 14 Mental Health and Disability Service Regions.

The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency estimates that Medicaid members will make up 80% of the clients using the preventative services, and the bill ensures funding for mental health and substance abuse services as Medicaid-covered services.