The National Council for Behavorial Healthcare

Legislative Issues: Overview

The National Council promotes a provider-focused public policy and legislative agenda that urges government leaders to improve and strengthen mental health and addictions treatment by acting to:

  • Promote access to high-quality, cost-effective community-based treatment and supports.
  • Assure adequate resources to meet mental health and addictions treatment needs through necessary increases in Medicaid and Medicare, SCHIP, and federal appropriations and grants.
  • Ensure “parity” by bringing mental health and addictions treatment benefits more in line with coverage for general healthcare.
  • Further develop the capacity of the nation’s community-based mental health and addictions treatment system to maximize its contributions to taxpayers and our communities.
  • Promote increased public understanding of the nature and science of mental illness and addictions.

Real Stories

National Council member organizations across the country work hard to give nearly 6 million adults, children, and families with mental illnesses and addiction disorders a chance to recover and lead productive lives. Read their stories