Sens. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Rand Paul, MD, R-Ky., on June 25 reintroduced legislation that would allow board-certified physicians to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder and pharmacies to dispense the medication, according to a news release from Mr. Markey’s…
Government & Regulation
Clinicians and advocacy groups are pressing Congress on two major legislative efforts to better support the nation’s healthcare workforce: a proposed tax credit for healthcare providers practicing in shortage areas and a push to fund the only federal law dedicated…
Community Behavioral Health, a Medicaid behavioral health managed care plan in Philadelphia, didn’t meet federal and state requirements around prior authorization denials, according to a June audit report from HHS’ Office of Inspector General. CBH received about $1.28 billion in…
California’s new nurse-to-patient staffing ratios at acute, freestanding psychiatric hospitals took effect June 1, and in the early days of implementation, 65 beds — roughly half of them youth beds — across four counties were closing in the state. Facilities…
The American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association Services sent a joint letter to Aetna on June 4 urging the insurer to halt reimbursement rate reductions for behavioral health services delivered through Alma-affiliated clinicians. Alma is a platform that connects…
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The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a final rule that codifies sweeping changes to how practitioners can prescribe and administer medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, effective July 9. Here are seven things to know: 1. The DEA formally removed the…
Indiana is the latest state to begin granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines through the Counseling Compact. Under the compact, participating states recognize eligible counselors’ home-state licenses, much like states recognize driver’s licenses issued elsewhere,…
Ohio launched a series of new oversight measures for behavioral health providers and programs amid concerns about fraud, abuse and accountability, according to a June 2 news release from the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. Here are six things to…
Thirty-six Oregon counties have signed updated County Financial Assistance Agreements, completing the state’s transition away from a 30-year-old contractual model for behavioral health services, according to a June 4 news release from Gov. Tina Kotek’s office. Here are three things…
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is making $4.04 billion available through the fiscal year 2026 Continuum of Care program with revisions that prioritize funding for services focused on treatment and recovery over the historical “housing first” approach. The…