CCBHC Legislation Introduced in the Senate

The U.S. Senate has introduced the bipartisan Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, which will serve as a crucial step in expanding nationwide access to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC).

CCBHCs were established by Congress in 2014 and launched through a demonstration, which Pennsylvania was part of, in 2017. There are now more than 500 CCBHCs across the nation that serve millions of people, and Congress is building momentum to continue to expand access to high-quality mental health and substance use care.

Per the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, key provisions include:

• Establishing the CCBHC prospective payment system as a sustainable option for states implementing the model under the state Medicaid option. This allows them to expand the availability of evidence-based services, increase their workforce, and integrate services with other providers in their communities.
• Advancing care integration by enabling CCBHCs to provider additional services, including primary care.
• Establishing CCBHCs as a provider type with prospective payment in Medicare, strengthening their ability to serve older adults.

RCPA will continue our efforts with members and providers of ICWC/CCBHC programs with a hope of expanding both in the coming years. Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions.