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…
Government & Regulation
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…
Washington state lawmakers are mulling legislation that would tax businesses running social media platforms to fund youth behavioral health programs, The Olympian reported April 8. If passed, the legislation would tax businesses operating social media sites. Revenues generated from the…
House lawmakers have introduced legislation to boost Medicare reimbursement for integrated behavioral health services with primary care. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher, Nicole Malliotakis, August Pfluger and Steven Horsford introduced the Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective…
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State agencies are assessing the effects of $1 billion in canceled mental health funding. On March 26, HHS canceled $1 billion in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funding and $11.4 billion in funding for the CDC. The canceled…
HHS has canceled $1 billion in funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the New York Times reported March 26. In addition to the canceled SAMHSA funding, the department also canceled $11.4 billion in funding to the…
New York City officials are raising concerns over the city’s policy to involuntarily hospitalize individuals experiencing mental health crises. In a report published March 24, the New York City Council said many people involuntarily removed from private or public spaces…
Therapy and other mental health services at the Department of Veterans Affairs have “been thrown into turmoil” following changes implemented by the Trump administration, the New York Times reported March 22. Mental health providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs…
Congress has extended certain telehealth flexibilities through the end of September. On March 14, the Senate passed a bill extending current government funding through the end of September. Three notes for behavioral health leaders: Read more here.