Mental Health Bill Before the Governor

by Contributor | September 17, 2025 7:18 am

Governor Hochul has a bill awaiting her signature with the potential to transform New Yorkers’ lives for the better, and to make good on an issue she has promised to address. Bill A3319, which passed the NY State and Assembly, would improve access to mental health providers by requiring commercial health insurers to cover services provided by licensed creative arts therapists (LCATs).

The current insurance system privileges only certain modalities, leaving out vital avenues of healing for those who need them most. Creative arts therapy offers evidence-based, unique and powerful tools for children struggling to communicate, veterans processing post-traumatic stress, and elders facing cognitive decline. They offer hope and tangible results where words alone may fall short. Why, then, should families be forced to shoulder the financial burden, or worse—go without?

LCATs make up the second largest group of licensed mental health practitioners in the state, providing clinically-proven support and healing for decades to people living with trauma, anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, and chronic illness in NY hospitals, schools, and veterans’ programs. Yet, despite these proven benefits, countless individuals are denied access simply because their insurance will not cover the services.

By signing this bill, Governor Hochul would not only align our state with modern mental health standards, but also deliver on the promise of accessible care for all residents. Insurers would be compelled to recognize the proven value that creative arts therapists bring: reduced hospitalizations, improved mental and physical outcomes, and a decrease in long-term costs associated with untreated mental health conditions. The ripple effects—stronger families, more resilient communities, and a healthier workforce—are profound.

This legislation is, at its heart, about equity. Too often, the arts are dismissed as luxuries, when in fact they are necessities for many on the path toward healing. By ensuring insurance parity for licensed creative arts therapists and those they serve, the Governor would be sending a powerful message: every person deserves access to the tools that best support their well-being, regardless of zip code or income level.

Sincerely,
Christina King, LCAT

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/mental-health-bill-before-the-governor/

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