The health and socioeconomic issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the American public’s longstanding challenges in accessing mental health and substance use services, treatments, and supports. The need for these services is critical: reported mental health problems have risen, and overdose deaths recently spiked to record levels. Better integration of behavioral health care with primary care has been shown to expand access to these services; reduce racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities; and address the short supply of nearly all types of behavioral health providers. However, challenges remain in making integrated behavioral health a reality for all Americans.
Given heightened policy activity at the congressional, federal, and state levels, the Commonwealth Fund aims to inform policy efforts by supporting a range of projects related to expanding access to integrated behavioral health services in 2024.
For more information, email Rachel Nuzum, Senior Vice President, Federal and State Health Policy, at [email protected], or Reginald D. Williams II, Vice President, International Health Policy and Practice Innovations, at [email protected].
2024 Program Funding Priorities
- Support the adoption of evidence-based, integrated behavioral health models appropriate for underserved areas (rural and urban)
- Identify policy and payment changes in Medicare and Medicaid to build, expand, and diversify the behavioral health workforce
- Inform the creation and adoption of a federal framework for regulating digital mental health tools
