National Council Applauds Senate Finance Committee’s Advancement of Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act

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.”