Statement Regarding Senate Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill

Washington, DC (July 1, 2025) — The “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed today by the U.S. Senate would put millions of Americans at risk of losing their health care coverage by adding unnecessary “red-tape.” Millions of people living with mental health and substance use conditions rely on Medicaid to provide them with life-saving medications, treatment and support are now at risk of losing this vital source of coverage.

Medicaid is the largest payer for substance use disorder treatment and mental health services in the country. Of the 75 million people Medicaid covers across America, nearly 33% have a mental health challenge, 12% over age 18 have a substance use disorder, and 25% have been diagnosed with both a mental illness and substance use disorder.

Our nation’s mental health and substance use treatment system is already underfunded, and states are not able to provide the resources necessary to meet this gap in coverage, presenting a dire situation for our nation’s safety-net mental health and substance use treatment organizations.

This combination of loss of coverage, increased uncompensated care and increased administrative burden tied to new requirements will create a perfect storm for safety-net mental health and substance use treatment organizations. The results will include longer waiting times, fewer services available and more people diverted to emergency rooms and local jails. In the end, everyone loses.

National Council for Mental Wellbeing members from around the country have made more than 40,000 contacts with members of Congress because they recognize the devastating effects that this legislation will have on their communities.

We urge the House to vote “no” on this bill.