Take action on our latest alert
Check back for action alerts to get involved in advocating for positive mental health policy!
Act now to increase access to mental health and substance use services in the Medicare Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is asking for comments on the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule rule, which will help determine what behavioral health services are covered and how much providers are paid in the Medicare program. The proposed rule issued this summer has many proposals involving behavioral healthcare. We want the agency to finalize some of these and to modify others to ensure people on Medicare have better access to mental health and substance use care. The alert specifies which proposals we want the agency to finalize, including paying for new providers and services, continuing telehealth flexibilities, and increasing payment for some behavioral health services. We also ask them to make some changes to define peer support specialists in the regulation, create services that focus on the activities that peer support specialists do, and expand crisis services to pay for clinicians and peer support specialists in mobile crisis teams.
Join us in submitting comments to help improve care in psychiatric units and hospitals
CMS is seeking comments on proposed regulations governing inpatient psychiatric facilities and the data they collect related to the quality of care. After many years of stakeholder advocacy, CMS is proposing to require facilities to measure patients’ perspectives on their treatment, to ask patients about the social drivers of health, and to include health equity. It is very important that advocates weigh in to support these changes so they are included in a final rule. Help us make sure people in a psychiatric unit or hospital are treated with the dignity and care they deserve.
Urge members of Congress to prioritize policies that improve our nation's mental health
May 18 is the 2023 Mental Health Action Day, and Mental Health America hopes to engage as many individuals and organizations in promoting three policies to public officials:
- Giving greater flexibility to states to fund prevention activities through the Mental Health Block Grant.
- Holding internet technology companies accountable for its harmful effects on youth.
- Growing a more specialized professional behavioral health workforce for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth.
Urge members of Congress to invest in sustainable funding for mental health in FY 2024
As our country faces continued impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency, we ask you to send a letter to your elected officials in support of: prevention and early intervention in the Mental Health Block Grant, youth-focused initiatives at the CDC, peer support coverage in Medicare, and 988 operations and education.
Take action to get Congress to invest in sustainable funding