U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) have introduced legislation to support the study of the barriers farming and ranching communities face when seeking mental health support.

JPA Health has been awarded a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to lead a national effort to address recovery from mental health and substance use disorders.

More than two dozen state attorneys general are suing Meta, alleging the tech giant designed its apps to be addictive to young users. 

California is seeking to invest more Medicaid dollars in the behavioral health workforce and provide housing assistance to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. 

North Carolina has restructured its mental healthcare system to give more authority to the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, Charlotte Public Radio reported Oct. 22.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill updating the state's conservatorship laws for the first time in over 50 years.

Some lawmakers are concerned about access to behavioral care in Medicare Advantage. 

U.S. Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota have partnered to introduce a bipartisan bill focused on youth mental health.

Washington state will impose a $500,000 fine on UnitedHealthcare for failing to demonstrate its compliance with mental health parity laws. 

Groups representing insurers are urging CMS not to implement a proposed rule that would toughen mental health parity laws. 

The California Legislature is holding a special oversight hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Mental Health and Addiction Oct. 18 to determine health plans' willingness to cover an expanded range of mental conditions, California Local reported Oct. 17.

In March, California voters will weigh in on a $6.8 billion bond initiative to fund new behavioral health treatment and housing spaces in the state. 

California is expanding the kinds of autism treatments insurers in the state must cover, and expanding the definition of qualified autism service professionals. 

CMS is seeking input from the public on improving access to mental health treatment in Medicaid. 

HHS recently awarded $232.3 million in grants for suicide prevention and behavioral healthcare for at-risk communities, including more than $200 million in funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and related crisis services, according to a Sept. 27 news release. 

HHS is creating a maternal mental health taskforce as part of a larger initiative aimed at improving maternal health. 

The California Legislature has approved two bills that aim to transform mental healthcare across the state, with residents now having the opportunity to vote to modernize California's mental health system in March 2024.

A Colorado psychiatry practice agreed to pay $1.9 million to settle allegations that it knowingly double billed time to receive increased Medicare and Medicaid payments. 

A state senator sent the Nebraska governor a letter urging him to address the assaults, equipment needs and mandatory overtime that result in unsafe conditions at the Lincoln Regional Center, according to an Aug. 28 report from Nebraska Examiner.

A new law in New Hampshire prohibits insurance companies from requiring members to receive prior authorization before obtaining coverage for emergency mental health or substance use care, according to an Aug. 23 report from New Hampshire Bulletin.