National Council Statement on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 11, 2024) — The National Council for Mental Wellbeing commends Congress for passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (CAA, 2024), which President Biden signed into law on March 9.

The CAA, 2024 codifies a definition for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) within Medicaid, along with other provisions, which include:

• Permanently requiring states’ Medicaid plans to cover all medications for opioid use disorders.
• Making permanent the state Medicaid option to cover treatment at a residential or inpatient substance use disorder program with over 16 beds.
• Prohibiting states from terminating Medicaid enrollment for incarcerated individuals.
• Mandating guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services on improving the behavioral health workforce.

“Through expanding coverage for evidence-based SUD medication, eliminating barriers to care based on treatment facility size, and improving access to care for incarcerated people — for whom continuity of care is critical in lowering the risk of overdose — this law will better enable people with a substance use challenge to access lifesaving treatment in their community,” said Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

“CCBHCs have proven successful in expanding their services and tailoring mental health and substance use care to meet the individual needs of their communities. But more people need access to the comprehensive, high-quality care these organizations provide. This law enables states to more swiftly take action to expand access to CCBHCs statewide, while ensuring people living in a CCBHC demonstration state can continue to access care from a CCBHC post-demonstration.

“We applaud Congress for making permanent key programs that increase accessibility of SUD treatment and for expanding access to high quality mental health and substance use care. We look forward to working with Congress, the Biden-Harris administration and state leaders on implementing CAA, 2024.”

The National Council thanks Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as well as Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., for their leadership. The National Council also thanks House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., Ranking Member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., E&C Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and Ranking Member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., as well as Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., and Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., for introducing H.R. 7545 last week.