Improving Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment a Priority for Biden Administration

The Biden Administration has released its Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Plan outlining the regulatory priorities for Federal agencies in 2022.

The Department of Labor, Department of Treasury, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are considering regulatory actions to improve access to mental health and substance use treatment. HHS plans to extend the flexibilities for using telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and to clarify health insurance plans’ and issuers’ obligations to provide for mental health and substance use services and treatment in parity with medical care and surgical care.

Last year, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) aligned its work with these priorities. Through the Integration Academy, AHRQ continues to support the integration of behavioral health and primary care in FY 22.

For more information see:

• The White House - A Regulatory Plan to Continue Building Back Better
• The White House - FACT SHEET: Improving Access and Care for Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions
• AHRQ Views – 2021: An AHRQ Year in Review
• AHRQ Integration Academy – About the AHRQ Academy