Protecting access to mental and behavioral health services for Medicaid enrollees
July 31, 2026
APA Services submits comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services concerning new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements
Our focus
- Ensure communities of color are able to access and utilize quality available behavioral health care informed by psychological science.
- Promote health equity-focused policies that reduce or eliminate disparities in health attributed to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, national origin, and low socioeconomic status that are tied to social and/or economic disadvantage.
- Promote equitable policy solutions that address social determinants of health, e.g., insurance coverage, economic stability, equality, discrimination, housing stability, violence and incarceration, and immigration status.
Our efforts on this issue advance the following advocacy priorities:
- Access to health services, including mental and behavioral health services
- Health equity for underserved and vulnerable populations
- Health promotion and prevention throughout lifespan and settings
- Human rights and racial equity
Populations impacted by health equity issues
Health disparities result in large part from social inequities, systemic oppression, and discriminatory beliefs woven into the fabric of society. Advancing health equity requires sweeping change, catalyzed by key change agents and building into social movements.
What you can do
Related issues
Contact us
Stefanie Reeves, FASAE, CAE
Deputy Chief of Public Policy and Engagement
Email APA Advocacy Office
Recent advocacy on health equity
Federal rules could limit states’ Medicaid behavioral health workforce expansion
July 21, 2026
APA Services responded to a proposed rule from CMS concerning State Directed Payment arrangements within state Medicaid programs
CMS’ interim rule jeopardizes Medicaid access to critical services
July 13, 2026
As CMS moves forward with Medicaid work reporting implementation, advocates warn that new reporting and verification requirements could create significant barriers for eligible beneficiaries
Moving forward legislation to lessen disparities in access to behavioral health care
April 21, 2026
The U.S. House of Representatives approved two key bills designed to expand health care access for rural and underserved communities