WASHINGTON, DC (November 8, 2023) – National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia today released the following statement in response to the Senate Committee on Finance’s unanimous advancement of the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act.
“Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and their essential services – including 24/7 crisis supports and comprehensive mental health and substance use care – are a vital part of our health care system,” said National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia. “We commend Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), as well as Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) for their leadership in cementing the model by adding a definition for CCBHCs within Medicaid.
“This move will help ensure more people can access the critical and lifesaving services provided by CCBHCs and will provide further sustainability for the hundreds of clinics working to adopt the model. We look forward to working with lawmakers to further define how CCBHCs can expand access to care within Medicare and other programs. Doing so will help save lives.”
About The National Council
Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of over 3,400 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 3 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
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