President announces strategy to strengthen mental health care system

During his State of the Union address last night, President Biden announced a national strategy to strengthen the mental health care system. Among other actions, the strategy calls for investments in the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program and primary and behavioral health integration, as well as for all health plans to cover robust behavioral health services with an adequate network of providers, including three behavioral health visits each year without cost-sharing.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said he plans in the coming months to announce initiatives to increase the number of behavioral health professionals and expand access to pediatric mental health care through telehealth services, among other actions; and meet with states and communities about ways to strengthen mental health services.