States are moving to reduce Medicaid payments for applied behavioral analysis therapy as spending on the autism treatment surges, KFF Health News reported Dec. 23. Applied behavioral analysis therapy, or ABA therapy, is a research-based behavioral therapy for children with…
Government & Regulation
California plans to invest $1.18 billion in behavioral health facilities, raising the state’s commitment to its broader initiative of increasing access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment to nearly $4.2 billion. The additional investment will fund 66 projects…
The FDA has approved a new use for Wellcovorin, or leucovorin calcium tablets, to treat cerebral folate deficiency, after initiating efforts to expand approval for autism-related symptoms. The approval marks the first FDA-approved treatment for the rare genetic disease, which…
Indiana legislation allowing counties to continue syringe service programs — while adding restrictions — will potentially become law as Gov. Mike Braun said he does not plan to sign the bill, Indiana Capital Chronicle reported March 9. The legislation allows…
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) has postponed its first meeting, according to an HHS spokesperson. In a post on X, psychiatrist Sylvia Fogel, MD, a member of the committee, said members of the autism community have raised concerns and…
Advertisement
Behavioral health providers and advocates are urging Maryland lawmakers to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health services provided through Medicaid and the state’s Public Behavioral Health System, warning that stagnant state funding could worsen an already ongoing workforce shortage, The…
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering $69.1 million in funding opportunities through three behavioral health grant programs. The funding includes $43 million for the Children’s Mental Health Initiative, which provides community-based mental health services for individuals…
The Trump administration is reviewing federal policies on antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes — a shift that could affect how facilities treat residents with dementia — The Washington Post reported March 6. Federal regulators have spent more than a…
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has signed legislation to reduce administrative barriers for behavioral health workers after the measure passed the state House and Senate with bipartisan support. The law requires a centralized credentialing platform for behavioral health providers, a step…
California’s push to implement new nurse-to-patient ratios at psychiatric hospitals has sparked widespread concern among hospital leaders and advocacy groups, who warn the rules could reduce an already limited psychiatric capacity, increase emergency department boarding and strain the behavioral health workforce. …