U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand military families’ access to mental health and counseling services. The Comforting Our Families through On-base or Remote Treatment (COMFORT) Act would allow military and family life counselors to work outside of the state in which they are licensed, expanding accessibility for services. The bill is co-led by Republican Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia.
“When our men and women in uniform sign up to serve, we make a promise to take care of them and their families,” Slotkin said. “It’s not easy being a service family – everything from frequent moves to long deployments can put plenty of stress on children and spouses. This legislation cuts red tape to expand options for counseling and mental health services, so our military families can get the support they need.”
This announcement comes amid a shortage of counseling professionals nationwide and on military installations. Slotkin’s legislation addresses the issue by authorizing license portability, which would expand access to care and enable the Department of Defense to provide counselors to areas where they are most needed.
