The Trump administration’s decision to not enforce certain mental health parity regulations could hurt access to care, a group of mental health organizations has argued. In a May 13 statement, six mental health and substance use advocacy organizations said they…
Government & Regulation
Reductions in Medicaid funding could lead more hospitals to close their inpatient psychiatric units, KFF Health News reported May 12. At least 100 inpatient mental health units have closed in the past decade, according to the American Hospital Association, and…
HHS will not enforce mental health parity regulations implemented by the Biden administration while it reconsiders the rules, according to a May 9 court filing. In January, the ERISA Industry Committee, a group representing large employers, sued to block the…
A group of nearly 100 U.S. representatives has formed the Congressional Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. The bipartisan caucus is led by Reps. Andrea Salinas, Don Bacon, Don Beyer and Tony Gonzales. “The mental health caucus exists to raise awareness, reduce…
States are passing legislation aimed at enforcing mental health parity standards and funding workforce initiatives. Here are eight notable behavioral health policy updates since March 2:
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Growing up on Long Island, I was fortunate to receive care from some of the country’s best doctors. Around the dinner table, many healthcare discussions also took place among relatives who were medical providers: an aunt with her own primary…
A bevy of mental health programs are on the chopping block at HHS, according to a leaked draft budget obtained by The Washington Post. The proposal would slash the HHS’ budget by 30%, the Post reported April 16. The 64-page…
CMS is proposing a 2.4% bump in payments to inpatient psychiatric facilities in 2026. The agency published its proposed payments for inpatient psychiatric facilities April 11. The proposed increase would be slightly lower than the 2.8% increase inpatient facilities received…
New federal legislation would put resources toward formalizing pathways for peer support specialists. Sens. Tim Kaine and Jim Banks introduced the PEER Support Act April 8, according to a news release from Mr. Kaine. The bipartisan bill is backed by…
Mental health organizations have expressed concern that staffing cuts at HHS and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration could upend progress made on mental health challenges. In March, HHS announced plans to layoff 10,000 employees and eventually cut…