Biden Unveils $22B Plan to Tackle Opioid Epidemic, Boost Substance Abuse Treatment

The Biden-Harris administration’s proposed budget for 2025 includes substantial funding to support access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and prevention. The proposed budget aims to build upon these efforts by allocating $21.8 billion to combat the surge in overdose deaths nationwide. The budget allocates substantial resources specifically to combat the opioid overdose crisis, building […]

In Support of ‘Unity Agenda,’ Biden-Harris Administration Announces $50M Initiative to Support Rural Opioid Treatment Services

The Biden-Harris administration on March 6 unveiled plans to allocate close to $50 million towards bolstering opioid treatment and recovery services in rural areas across the United States. The announcement is in line with the White House’s mission of tackling the ongoing opioid crisis, which has disproportionately affected rural communities in recent years. According to […]

Biden Administration to Release Peer Support Certification Standards, Touts School-Based Services Efforts

The Biden administration announced Thursday several additional efforts to address behavioral health industry challenges. Among new efforts, the White House said it would release the “National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification.” Departments within the executive branch also announced steps to make it easier for schools to bill Medicaid for services. “The new standards are […]

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to End in May, But Several Behavioral Health Flexibilities Will Remain

The Biden administration late Monday announced the public health emergency (PHE) will officially end on May 11. The PHE has, in many ways, changed the game for behavioral health operators over the past three years. Among its impacts, it relaxed several regulations while notably expanding telehealth and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) access. “The COVID-19 national emergency […]

New Funding Bill Puts at Least $10B Toward Behavioral Health Efforts in 2023

On Tuesday, congressional leaders released a bill that will fund the federal government through the current federal fiscal year 2023 and back several behavioral health efforts.  The bill includes over $10 billion for behavioral health initiatives. These include $4.9 billion in funding to address opioid abuse and $5.27 billion for mental health treatment, prevention and […]

The Biden Administration Pledges $300M to Pediatric Mental Health Services

The Biden administration has pledged nearly $300 million to expand mental health services in schools. In addition to the new funding, the White House is also encouraging state governors to invest more into school-based mental health programs. This new youth-focused investment is part of a larger strategy by the administration to expand access to behavioral […]

White House Report Makes Recommendations for the Future of Virtual Addiction Care

A new report released by the Biden Administration lays out recommendations for the future of virtual addiction care. The document, penned by the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association (LAPPA), advises lawmakers to permanently enact and expand the public health emergency (PHE) regulations changes. In regards to substance use disorder (SUD) care and Medication Assisted […]