Boosting Mental Health and Addiction Care Providers in Underserved Areas.
This bill requires the federal government to guide states on using Medicaid and CHIP funds to significantly increase the number of mental health and substance abuse care providers. The goal is to improve access to crucial behavioral health services, especially for low-income individuals and children living in rural or underserved communities. This action should make it easier for covered citizens to find timely psychological and psychiatric help.
Key points
The Secretary of HHS must issue guidance to States on strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining mental health and substance use disorder providers.
The focus is specifically on expanding the workforce capacity in rural and underserved areas using existing Medicaid and CHIP funding mechanisms.
Expired
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