Mental Health Bill Aims to Sync Substance Use, Medicaid Agencies

Mental health services would get a funding boost in bipartisan legislation set to be unveiled Tuesday that aims to improve coordination between agencies focusing on opioid addiction services and paying for treatment.

The measure, by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), would provide a path for ramping up existing health plans and coordination between the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to better help individuals with serious mental illness.

According to a legislative overview document, the Mental Health Reform Reauthorization Act of 2022 would also authorize $25 million annually ...