The Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Act, one of the most significant developments in behavioral health funding in decades, was designed to increase Americans’ access to community mental health and substance use treatment services via the creation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) in 8 states, while improving Medicaid reimbursement for these services.
Advancing payment and delivery reform in the ambulatory safety net in rural areas presents unique challenges and will require solutions specific to this context, for both primary care and behavioral health.
Drawing from our work with 12 primary care associations through the Delta Center, this brief outlines three key policy steps to help health centers survive in the short term and thrive beyond the COVID-19 crisis.