HHS has selected eight states to participate in a two-year initiative designed to improve access to high-quality healthcare for patients with mental and substance abuse disorders.
The program is a part of a comprehensive effort by the agency to more closely align physical and behavioral healthcare. The program will not only improve access to behavioral health services for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, but will also provide these patients access to care to maintain their physical health and well-being.
After distributing planning grants to 24 states in 2015, 19 states submitted applications to participate in the program.
"These states and their community clinics have done an incredible job in paving the way for the demonstration program," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Kana Enomoto in a Dec. 21 release. "We look forward to demonstrating that by balancing incentives and accountability, an enhanced level of accessible, comprehensive and quality care can be provided to all Americans."
The eight states selected were Minnesota, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The state programs are required to launch no later than July 1, 2017.
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