Federal lawmakers have introduced or revived several bills this year aimed at expanding access to addiction and mental health treatment, from new Medicare coverage for residential opioid treatment to permanent funding for community behavioral health clinics. Here are five to…
Government & Regulation
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released new data tracking programs created and expanded through the state’s $1 billion mental health initiative launched in 2023 and additional investments. The New York State Office of Mental Health compiled information spanning 23 areas…
On July 14, President Donald Trump nominated Timothy Westlake, MD, of Wisconsin, to serve as assistant secretary for mental health and substance use at HHS — the position that oversees the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Dr. Westlake…
Several states are advancing behavioral health policy changes, from syringe service program restrictions in Indiana to Medicaid reimbursement debates in Maryland and workforce reforms in Oregon. Here are 20 updates to know: 1. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation…
The California Department of Public Health will hold a stakeholder meeting July 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to gather feedback on emergency regulations establishing nurse-to-patient staffing standards for acute psychiatric hospitals. Here are three things to know: Read…
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law directing two state agencies to establish a single set of licensing standards for integrated behavioral health services in outpatient centers. The measure, signed July 16, authorizes the commissioners of the state Office…
Hawaii and Vermont have become the latest states to expand prescribing authority for specially trained psychologists, bringing the total number of states that authorize the practice to nine, according to a July 15 news release from the American Psychological Association. …
Nearly four years after the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched, states, payers and county systems still define behavioral health crisis care inconsistently, and Medicare offers limited coverage for community-based crisis stabilization services — leaving safety-net funding, Medicaid, federal block…
HHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs entered into a memorandum of understanding July 13 to bolster collaboration on the research, clinical development and deployment of potential future psychedelic drug products for veterans with serious mental health conditions if approved…
New Mexico Health Care Authority awarded approximately $24.5 million to expand mental health, substance use disorder treatment and crisis services across all 13 behavioral health regions under the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, according to a June 30 news…