Through Medicaid and other programs, states are one of the largest payers for behavioral health (including both mental health and substance abuse services) in the United States. Most states provide significant behavioral health benefits through their Medicaid and CHIP programs, and also oversee the administration of federal mental health block grants and state general grant funds that support behavioral health. Behavioral health policy issues span population demographic and program type; children, youth, adults and the elderly all may be affected by behavioral health issues, and primary care and federally qualified health centers are increasingly the settings of choice for public behavioral health delivery.
As a result, NASHP’s work in behavioral health has been and continues to be supported within a number of programs. Currently, NASHP is working with Abt Associates on a project for SAMHSA to improve the availability of mental health evidence-based practices among Medicaid recipients. Other projects include work funded through HRSA that will highlight state best practices in the integration of behavioral health care in FQHC settings.
