WASHINGTON (TND) — Some medical experts are pushing for out-of-state telehealth to help address the mental health care worker shortage.

"Even though during the pandemic, a lot of states relaxed barriers to interstate telehealth because you're not allowed to give telehealth if you don't have a license in that state," Dr. Jeffrey A. Singer, a senior fellow with the Cato Institute, explained. "Most states put them back in place."

Singer said one of the solutions to the mental health care crisis is to allow all patients to access out-of-state telehealth.

According to the Goldwater Institute, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, West Virginia, Minnesota, Indiana, and Delaware allow out-of-state physicians and healthcare providers to offer telemedicine services without an in-state license if they are properly registered with the state.

If we allow telehealth across state lines that will get people who live in areas where there's not a lot of access to mental health, access to mental health," Singer added.

Government data shows more than 100 million Americans live in mental health shortage areas. It's an even bigger issue in rural areas.

I'm not sure as far as mental health professionals go. There is one main hospital in our area," Antron Williams, owner and operator of Mahogany Farms LLC said. “I'm not aware of any farmers that have therapists.

Williams said a telehealth option, especially in areas like his, would be helpful.

"It's always a good idea to make you know, to make health care more accessible," he added.

Out-of-state telehealth is not the perfect solution to the mental health care worker shortage because some folks in rural and low-income areas have a hard time with internet access, but experts say it's a good start.

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