WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) co-sponsored legislation to increase funding available through Medicaid for clinics that treat mental health and addiction. The Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act renews and expands funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) across the country.
“Many North Carolinians have a loved one who is battling addiction or working through mental health issues, and it’s vital that families and communities across the state have the support and resources they need,” said Senator Tillis. “Everyone deserves a chance at treatment and recovery, and this bipartisan legislation will protect access to certified community behavioral health clinics. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this legislation and look forward to advancing it through the Senate.”
BACKGROUND:
In 2014, the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act created a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) pilot program that provided a competitive process for funding for eight states, including Nevada. There are currently three CCBHCs in Elko, Fallon and Las Vegas, all of which ensure that no one is turned away from services for an inability to pay. These clinics help individuals seeking treatment to enroll in Medicaid and other programs as needed; they also accept insurance and cash. The 2019 bill gives Nevada and other participating states two years of additional funding through Medicaid and increases the number of eligible states from eight to 19.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are transforming the way mental health and addiction treatment services are delivered across the country. These clinics are required to provide a comprehensive set of services including 24/7/365 crisis services, and immediate screenings, risk assessments and diagnoses. They provide outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment services, as well as coordination of care and partnerships with emergency rooms, law enforcement and veterans groups.
Full text of the bill is available here.
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