Access to Behavioral Health

The Senate July 1, and the House July 2, passed a budget reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), H.R. 1, a sweeping package that enacts many of President Trump’s legislative priorities on taxes, border security, energy and deficit reduction. The bill includes significant policy…
When a patient has depression, often the first medical professional to spot it is their primary care provider, thanks to routine screenings many offices offer. However, getting under the care of a behavioral health professional may involve a long wait — and the patient needs help now.
The Senate Appropriations Committee July 31 advanced the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and other agencies by a bipartisan 26-3 vote. The bill provides approximately $197 billion in discretionary funding.
As part of an effort to prioritize mental health services, St. Jude Medical Center has established a number of behavioral health programs over the last five years, including school-based mental health services and the Each Mind Matters/Promise to Talk campaign.
The Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Center, part of Golisano Children’s Hospital in Western New York, opened in June 2024 to provide walk-in mental health services for individuals under 18.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is pleased to support your legislation, the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act.