National Council Statement on Year-end Legislative Package

Washington, D.C. (December 21, 2022) — National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia today issued the following statement in response to Congress unveiling the year-end legislative package, which includes measures to reauthorize vital substance use and mental health programs, address the workforce shortage, expand access to critical services in Medicare and Medicaid, extend telehealth, fund Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), ensure parity enforcement and remove barriers to care for those with a substance use challenge.

“We can’t address the overwhelming demand for mental health and substance use treatment without implementing strategies immediately to overcome the workforce shortage and reduce barriers to care. That’s why we made it a priority to advocate for workforce and administrative reform measures in this legislation. Workforce provisions to allow licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to provide care for people on Medicare will not only improve recruitment and retention of workers, but also expand access to care for millions of people. And provisions eliminating barriers to prescribing medication-assisted treatment will no doubt save lives.

“This relief, in addition to funding level increases for several key substance use and mental health programs, couldn’t come at a better time.

“We’re deeply grateful to the bipartisan group of lawmakers who worked to create this critical legislation. We’re also grateful for the leadership of Senators Roy Blunt, Debbie Stabenow, John Cornyn and Chris Murphy for their leadership on expanding access to mental health and substance use care through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act earlier this year. As Senator Blunt caps a historic career in the U.S. Senate, we’re forever appreciative of his commitment to mental health, which has contributed to the growth of CCBHCs and improved access to care.

“The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed earlier this year is providing significant investment in new resources that will help eliminate barriers to access. The year-end legislative package will supplement those efforts and provide even more support amidst the ongoing mental health and substance use crises.

“The historic steps Congress has taken this year to address the substance use and mental health crisis will make a difference for people and communities for years to come.”