APA is encouraged by Congress’ bipartisan approval of the support Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2483opens in new window), which passed the House 366-57 and the Senate by unanimous consent, and now heads to the president for signing into law. The broad support for this legislation, which would strengthen the behavioral health workforce and promote patient access to life-saving mental and behavioral health services, is a clear recognition that no state or community is untouched by the nation's worsening mental health, substance use, and suicide crises.
Enactment of the support Reauthorization Act is a step forward in the nation’s effort to avert preventable deaths due to substance use disorders and mental health conditions. The reauthorization of these federal programs must be matched by a commensurate commitment to fund these and other programs. APA Advocacy will continue to make the case for strengthening, not weakening, Medicaid, the single largest payer of behavioral health services in the country. Medicaid plays a key role in addressing the disproportionate impacts of these crises, particularly among our youth, new mothers, and medically underserved communities, including rural areas.
Leadership from Congress to public health agencies and the administration is needed to build on the momentum over the last year in which overdose deaths fell by nearly 30,000 from the year before, a drop of about 27%, according to the CDCopens in new window. APA stands ready to engage with all key stakeholders to expand access to vital mental and behavioral health services.
For more information, contact Julio C. Abreu.