OhioMHAS Releases Updated FY 26 GIFA Program Guidance and Funding Allocations

OhioMHAS published an updated FY26 GIFA Program Guidelines  on July 8, 2025.  In the revised version, OhioMHAS updated the Prevention state block grant to remove language allowing ADAMHS Boards to provide prevention services and added clarifying language that all prevention services must be evidence-based or evidence-informed.  Further, OhioMHAS added clarifying language regarding the new requirements for providers that are subrecipients of federal funds to submit an application in GFMS by December 1, 2025 and made a distinction between vendors, contractors and subrecipients.  Further, we understand OhioMHAS may be making additional udpates based on the recent SAMHSA Dear Colleague letter clarifying allowable use of federal funds for acceptable harm reduction services. 

Additionally, OhioMHAS has updated Appendix A, FY26 GIFA Allocations by County as of July 29, 2025.  The updated allocations fill in more details while there are still some areas where funding levels are still TBD.  Providers are encourage to review this information and engage in discussions with your ADAMHS Boards as you continue or engage in contracting for FY 26. 

NOFO Due Sept 22: FY 26Health Center Program Service Area Competition

The FY 2026 Health Center Program Service Area Competition (SAC) funding improves the health of underserved communities and populations by providing grants to support the delivery of comprehensive, high-quality primary health care services in the United States and its territories. This opportunity is for current FQHCs, Look-Alikes, and eligible non-profits. Applications are due on September 22, 2025.

Funding Details:

• Application Types: Competing Continuation, Competing Supplement, New
• Expected total available funding: $232,000,000
• Expected number and type of awards 93 grants
• Funding range per award: Funding amounts vary per award
• Award recipients are granted a period of performance with the following dates:
  • If you receive a one-year period of performance, your period of performance will be from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. Please see additional guidance on a one-year period of performance in the post-award requirements and administration sections.
  • If you receive a four-year period of performance, your period of performance will be from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2030. Your funding request for years two through four cannot exceed your year one funding request.

For more information, view the full application and program description here.

NOFO Due Aug 11: Support for Human Trafficking Survivors

The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) recently announced the availability of more than $2 million in funding each fiscal year to help victim service agencies meet the needs of human trafficking survivors. The Direct Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Grant Program was launched in 2023 and aims to help serve the growing number of sex and labor trafficking victims in need of support.

Services funded through the program include but are not limited to victim advocacy, mental health services, education and employment support, and shelter/housing programs. Nonprofit organizations that provide direct support to victims of trafficking and/or those considered at high risk of trafficking are eligible for grant funding. Priority consideration will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate evidence-based and survivor-informed programming.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 11.

NOFO Due Aug 1: Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced a $100 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a new Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot program. The application due date is Friday, August 1, 2025. Anticipated award amounts range from $2.5 million to $7.5 million for a 2-year grant period (ie: $1.25 million - $2.75 million per calendar year), for a period of up to 3 years.

The purpose of this proof-of-concept program is to leverage existing health care institutions’ capacity to prevent, test for, treat, and cure Hepatitis C (HCV) in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or severe mental illness (SMI), particularly in communities severely affected by homelessness and to gain insights on effective ways to identify patients, complete treatment and reduce reinfection. Allowable activities include distribution of some harm reduction supplies, including naloxone distribution and fentanyl or xylazine testing strip distribution.

For additional questions about this opportunity, call 240-276-1660 or email at [email protected]. For financial or budget inquiries, reach out to SAMHSA’s Division of Grants Management at (240) 276-1400 or via email at [email protected].

MHAC Launches Interactive Career Pathways Tools to Address BH Workforce Challenges

The Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) recently announced the launch of two groundbreaking resources designed to strengthen Ohio's behavioral health workforce: an interactive career pathways tool called BHEACON and a comprehensive Regional Behavioral Health Workforce Coalition (RBHWC) toolkit.

MHAC received a $98,625 grant from the OhioMHAS as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and grow Ohio’s behavioral health workforce. The funding will support the development and implementation of the Behavioral Health Education and Career Opportunities Navigator (BHEACON) and the RBHWC toolkit, addressing critical workforce shortages in Ohio's behavioral health sector.

BHEACON, the interactive career pathways tool, will serve as a centralized resource for individuals exploring careers in behavioral health, offering detailed guidance on career trajectories, educational requirements, and licensing pathways.

The RBHWC toolkit titled, “Collaborating for Change: A Toolkit to Build Regional Behavioral Health Workforce Coalitions,” will empower regions across Ohio to establish and maintain effective workforce coalitions, providing structured guidance, best practices, and practical resources for building sustainable cross-sector partnerships that address local behavioral health workforce challenges.

BHEACON and the RBHWC toolkit are accessible through the RBHWC website and the MHAC website. 

New Study on Teens, Phones, and Mental Health

A recent study “Protecting the Developing Mind in a Digital Age: A Global Policy Imperative”, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities analyzed data from 100,000 young adults and found that owning a smartphone before age 13 is linked to poorer mental health outcomes, including suicidal thoughts, aggression, dissociation, and hallucinations.

The steepest change in mental wellness is demonstrated in suicidal thoughts – 48% of females aged 18-24 who acquired a smartphone at age five or six reported suicidal thoughts, compared to 28% who acquired a smartphone at age 13. Among males, the corresponding figures are 31% and 20%, respectively.

Specific traits that are significantly diminished in individuals who acquired a smartphone at a younger age include self-image, self-worth and confidence, and emotional resilience among females, and stability and calmness, self-image, self-worth, and empathy among males.

This research, part of the Global Mind Project with more than two million participants worldwide, highlights complex factors such as early social media exposure, cyberbullying, disrupted sleep, and family issues influencing these associations. The findings suggest that as the age at which children receive a smartphone decreases, there could be a correlating increase in higher rates of aggression, suicidal thoughts, feelings of detachment from reality, and diminished self-worth, emotional control, and resilience. While technology’s role is significant, experts caution it is not the sole cause of the teen mental health crisis, but that the findings do underscore the need for nuanced public health strategies addressing youth digital environments.

CDC “Free Mind” Campaign Tackles Youth MH & SUD

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched Free Mind, a new campaign that takes a creative, youth-focused approach to address the critical link between mental health and substance use. Launched July 21, the campaign offers a range of engaging tools — fact sheets, social media graphics, video PSAs, an interactive graphic novel, and a forthcoming card game — to help youth and their caregivers understand how mental health challenges can increase the risk of substance misuse and overdose.

Learn more here.

New Research Shows 80% of the Country Lives in Healthcare Deserts

A growing number of Americans find themselves living in "health care deserts," areas lacking in the specific infrastructure and services needed to ensure timely access to medicine and care, new data suggests.

According to new research from health care and prescription price-comparison website GoodRx, 81 percent of U.S. counties—home to more than 120 million Americans—fall under this definition in some way. This includes those which lack proper access to either pharmacies, primary care, hospital beds, trauma centers or community health centers.

The report includes an interactive US Map by county that tracks access to healthcare resources in 6 broad categories: Pharmacy, Primary Care, Hospitals, Hospital Beds, Trauma Centers, and Healthcare. Key takeaways include:

• Today, 45% of counties live in a pharmacy desert, which is up from only 41% in 2021.
• Nearly half of the country lives in a hospital bed desert, defined as living in an area with fewer than 2 hospital beds per 1,000 people.
• In primary care deserts, the number of primary care professionals available per population is over 2.5x the recommended level, with 1 full-time primary care professional per every 7,597 people.

A few key things of interest the analysis notes:

1. While the number of federally designated primary care healthcare professional shortage areas has declined since 2021, the researchers note that is likely largely due to a system reclassification that withdrew shortage designations in 2024 for many facilities — not because primary care shortages actually improved.
2. While the number of Americans living in health center deserts today has decreased slightly, down from 78 million people in 2021 to 71 million people in 2024, funding for these healthcare centers and programs, like community health centers, that address primary care shortages is currently at risk due to federal policy changes.

The states with the highest populations of healthcare-desert counties included: Wyoming (87%), Vermont (74%), Montana (70%), New Mexico (60%), and Alaska (56%). Factors that were most common in states with a number of healthcare deserts included: 1) Lack of health insurance, 2) low household income, and 3) poor internet access. Ohio ranked toward the middle of states with the average number of healthcare deserts.

New Clinical QuickNote: Treating OUD during Pregnancy & Postpartum

The Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence (SUD COE) has released a new Clinical QuickNote — Treating Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy and the Post-Partum Period. This newest addition to the QuickNote series is designed to provide clinicians with a concise, evidence-based approach to Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Opioid use and OUD continue to be public health issues that negatively impact individuals, families, and communities. Women of reproductive age are not exempt from experiencing OUD, and when it occurs, the results can be devastating for both mother and baby. Pregnancy may serve as a unique opportunity that motivates women with OUD to engage in treatment they previously had not considered. This resource emphasizes the need for identification and treatment of OUD in pregnant and postpartum women and provides resources and principles to help behavioral health professionals provide evidence-based, collaborative treatment for the benefit of both mother and child.

Be sure to visit the SUD COE website for a list of upcoming free trainings in August, and a wealth of other resources.

View the SUD COE’s Clinical Quicknote, “Treating Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy and the Post-Partum Period”, here.

Study Finds Fewer Tx Referrals for Black Patients After Overdose

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that most patients in the emergency department for an opioid overdose do not receive outpatient treatment referrals and that Black patients are even less likely to receive referrals than White patients.

For people with opioid use disorder (OUD), rates of overdose death are particularly high following an emergency department visit. The 1-year mortality rate is about 5%, making this vulnerable population an important target for intervention, the researchers stated.

But data from nearly 1,700 patients across 10 health care centers in the US revealed that only 18% of patients received a referral for outpatient addiction care. Black patients had a 33% lower likelihood of getting an outpatient referral compared with White patients.

Overall rates for other interventions were also low. About 42% of patients received a naloxone kit or prescription and only 8% received a buprenorphine prescription. Researchers noted that more information is needed about what resources people had access to before the overdose.

Read the full study here.

Report: Addiction Stigma’s Correlation to Decreased Support for Naloxone

A new report published by the Addiction Policy Forum (APF) suggests that higher levels of stigma are associated with decreased support for Naloxone availability. To better understand the association between stigma (manifesting as stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination) and naloxone uptake, the APF and researchers from the University of Delaware administered a survey to 57 partner organizations from a broad range of disciplines. The report provides evidence that higher levels of stigma are associated with lower support for making naloxone available to those at risk and their loved ones. 

Key findings include:

• Widespread Support for Naloxone Access: 83.3% of participants supported making naloxone available to friends and family members of people with opioid use disorder, while 11.8% were opposed or neutral.
  • Endorsement of Naloxone by Profession: The highest levels of support were among participants who worked in community services/nonprofits (95%) and healthcare (90.9%), whereas participants who worked in sales and business/financial operations reported lower endorsement levels (79.3% and 77.4%, respectively).
  • Stigma Strongly Linked to Naloxone Opposition: Individuals who opposed naloxone access reported higher levels of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination than those who were supportive.
  • Stereotypes Differ by Profession: The endorsement of stereotypes was highest among individuals who worked in management and sales, while those who worked in business and community services/nonprofits showed the lowest levels.

Read the full report here.

Ohio School-Based Health Center Map Released

The Ohio School-Based Health Alliance has released a new interactive map to learn about school-based health centers and find school-based health centers near you.

A School-Based Health Center (SBHC) brings healthcare right into schools. With services offered by licensed providers, SBHCs offer high-quality care for every student, much like your local pediatrician or community health center, where students spend most of their time – in school.

The equation is simple – healthy students learn better. School-based health centers help parents by getting their children help sooner, reducing transportation barriers, and working with families to get the care their children need. 

View the interactive map or contact your local school-based health center to learn who they serve and what services they offer in your community.

KFF Analysis of Medicaid Work & Reporting Requirements on MH & SUD Patients Nationwide

KFF, formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation, has recently released a new brief, “Implications of Medicaid Work and Reporting Requirements for Adults with Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders”, taking a deep look at house the new Medicaid work requirements in the recently passed budget reconciliation bill would impact adults in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion group specifically related to mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.

Medicaid plays a large part in coverage and treatment of behavioral health conditions, covering nearly one-third of all adults with mental health disorders and one-fifth of all adults with substance use disorders; among Medicaid expansion enrollees specifically, 24% have a diagnosed behavioral health condition. Continuous Medicaid coverage supports ongoing treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and disruptions may negatively affect individuals’ mental and physical health.

Medicaid expansion is the primary coverage pathway for people with mental health or substance use disorders. Among Medicaid-covered adults diagnosed with a substance use disorder, 59% qualify through ACA expansion, similar to those with opioid use disorders (61%), any mental health disorder (51%), and serious mental illness (45%), defined here as schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorders). These shares are higher when limited to ACA Medicaid expansion states.

While the bill does specify exemptions for individuals with SUD, who are participating in a treatment program, or who are living with other “disabling” mental disorders from work requirements under the “medically frail” designation, the bill does not define which diagnoses constitute “disabling” mental health disorders; and federal guidance as well as state decision-making will be forthcoming.

The bill likewise does not specify that states will be required to use available data to automatically verify exemptions or could still miss some individuals due to data limitations. These issues would be amplified in states with outdated or less integrated data systems, and even among those with well-functioning systems, there is often a delay of weeks or months between a service being provided and claims being fully processed, as well as increased likelihood of disputes or denials.

KFF points to Arkansas as a litmus test. When they implemented Medicaid work requirements, data-matching identified about two thirds of enrollees, exempting them from reporting work hours or exemption status. Among those who had to actively report, about 70% did not obtain an exemption or report compliance with the work requirements, ultimately resulting in over 18,000 people who would have otherwise been eligible to lose coverage.

The report also points to complexities for people experiencing mild or moderate mental health disorder who may not qualify for an exemption from work requirements; however the symptoms could lead to employment gaps, making compliance with new requirements more difficult. As well as challenges with individuals experiencing severe mental health or addiction symptoms managing expectations around paperwork, verifications, and compliance while also experiencing severe and persistent mental health disorders.

Disparities in Ohio’s Medicaid Work Requirements Impact by County

The Center for Community Solutions (CCS) released an evaluation of the impact that Ohio’s new Medicaid work requirements could have on Medicaid enrollment, estimating that unless they qualify for an exemption, close to 450,000 Ohioans could be at risk of losing health coverage, far exceeding the Ohio Department of Medicaid’s (ODM) projected number of 62,000 Ohioans that could lose coverage under the new waiver. The estimate was calculated based on the latest publicly available data on the employment status and health coverage of Ohioans. CCS suggests that the number would fall somewhere between 450,000 and 62,000.

Using the latest data on Medicaid enrollees on the ODM’s Annual Enrollment Dashboard and information contained in the proposed 1115 Waiver, CCS produced estimates of the number of residents in each county who are likely to lose coverage in 2026 if the work requirement is implemented. What the analysis uncovered is that distribution of counties that will be most impacted varies, with some counties having a much higher percentages of people who would be at risk. Pike County has the highest percent of the working-age population who is at risk – 15.9%, followed closely by Scioto County at 15.2%. In eleven other of Ohio’s 88 counties, more than 10% of their population is at-risk; and most of the counties with the highest share of at-risk working adults have unemployment rates which are higher than the state average, suggesting that jobs may be more difficult to find in these communities. These counties include Adams (12.1%), Gallia (10.5%), Jackson (10%), Jefferson (10.4%), Lawrence (12.4%), Marion (10.1%), Meigs (11.4%), Noble (10.6%), Ross (11.4%), Trumbull (10%), and Vinton (11.5%).

According to CCS analysis, if all the at-risk residents in Ohio are denied coverage, Ohio’s working-age uninsured rate would climb from the current rate of 8.8% to 15.3% - levels not seen since the early 2010’s. As a result, 18 counties, most of which are small in rural areas, could see uninsured rates over 20%; which would not only have a detrimental impact on the individuals being impacted, but CCS points out that being uninsured has been linked to lost productivity, lower wages, and higher employee turnover.

Read the full evaluation from the Center for Community Solutions here.

OneOhio Recovery Foundation Grantee Support & Evaluation Requirements

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is working to help grantees understand and follow their evaluation and other requirements. OneOhio has launched a new website that serves as a one-stop-shop for grantees to better understand OneOhio’s compliance requirements, evaluation/reporting expectations, and strategies to maximize the effective use of funds. Their technical assistance website can be found here.

For further questions about OneOhio’s reporting and evaluation requirements or technical assistance, please email the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s evaluation team at [email protected].

OneOhio Recovery Foundation Releases Annual Report

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation has released their annual 2024 report, highlighting the more than $45 million in grants to local programs that work to address the needs of those affected by the addiction crisis. These grants have supported a range of initiatives, from prevention, education, and treatment programs to recovery, housing, and mental health services. The Foundation’s comprehensive approach and focus on evidence-based solutions ensures that every dollar is spent wisely, benefiting those who need it most in ways that can make real progress.

The Foundation highlights how the success of these programs is not just measured in the dollars awarded, but in the lives that are transformed across our state. Grantees are empowering individuals, families, and communities to break free from the cycle of addiction. These efforts are helping prevent new addiction, support those in recovery, and—perhaps most notably —offer hope to those who feel that it has long since run out.

Read the full 2024 One Ohio Recovery Foundation Annual Report here.

What’s Ahead in 2025
Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, the Foundation will allocate $40 million for regional grants in the next funding cycle. Additional details about this next funding opportunity will be shared in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the Foundation is continuing to refine its Code of Regulations and make necessary staffing updates, positioning OneOhio for continued success in delivering impactful solutions for Ohio’s communities.

Ohio General Assembly Update

After lawmakers finished their work on HB 96, the state operating budget bill, and made a quick return on Monday, July 21 to vote to override a Governor’s veto on a property tax provision (repeal of replacement levy), the Ohio House and Senate will remain quiet until they return in late September to restart legislative hearings.  Below is a summary of key actions taken by lawmakers, including a hint at other policy issues likely to be addressed when they return this fall.

House Overrides Budget Property Tax Veto: Ohio House lawmakers narrowly voted to override one of Governor DeWine’s line-item budget vetoes, advancing a provision that limits local governments’ ability to pursue certain levy types. The vote passed 61-28, just one vote over the required threshold, during a rare summer session. However, the House postponed expected override attempts on two other tax-related vetoes due to lack of support, though House Speaker Huffman (R-Lima) indicated they may be revisited in the fall. 

Supporters emphasized the need for lawmakers to act on rising property taxes, framed the provision as empowering voters, and said it increases transparency. Opponents, including Democrats and a few Republicans, criticized the session as political theater that won't provide real tax relief and could hurt public services like schools and fire departments.

Senate Undecided on Veto Override Timeline: Veto Overrides must be initiated in the bill's chamber of origin. This means that in order for the Senate to vote on an override, the House must have already passed it. Given that the House only passed one override, Senate President McColley (R-Napolean) and other Senators have indicated they are unsure if the Senate will be returning to Columbus this summer to take up the vote. McColley has said that his chamber has the 20 votes needed to override any property tax vetoes the House sends. However, with all nine Democrats and Senator Bill Blessing (R-Corelain Township) likely opposing an override, securing enough Senators in attendance over the summer could pose a challenge. 

Priority Issues Unresolved by Budget: The state operating budget has increasingly been used as a vehicle for implementing policy changes. This budget was no exception, with many policy changes in addition to allocations. However, some of the topics legislators considered did not make it into the final version of the bill or were not adequately addressed, according to key decision-makers. These policy areas will likely be priority conversations upon the Legislature’s return in September or October. Additionally, the federal tax and reconciliation bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), made many policy changes as well, especially in the health and human services sectors. The Ohio Legislature and Executive Agencies will need time to understand the changes and communicate how they plan to implement these changes by the deadlines set federally. 

Likely topics to be addressed upon the Legislature's return include: 

• Property Taxes: Despite acknowledgements across the board that rising property taxes are a crisis for many homeowners, consensus could not be reached across the aisle or between the Legislative and the Executive Branches on an appropriate solution. The Governor vetoed the budget’s property tax provisions, and the House overrode one of those vetoes.
• Marijuana: The Legislature continues to discuss various proposals for changes to the Marijuana statute passed by voters in 2023. However, no changes were included in the budget, despite strong calls for a mechanism to distribute marijuana excise tax revenues already collected for communities hosting dispensaries. 
• Medicaid: The budget made a plethora of policy changes to Ohio’s Medicaid, but questions remain as to how the federally passed spending plan will impact the state, both financially and policy-wise. 
• Unemployment Compensation: Ohio's unemployment compensation fund is expected to run out of money by 2033. Legislators are attempting to resolve the solvency issue by spreading the burden of raising more funds between workers and employers, but a solution could not be reached in time for budget passage. About 250,000 Ohio businesses pay into the system. 
• Energy: Energy demand and pricing continue to be highly salient issues for legislators. These conversations in the fall will likely include carbon sequestration, community energy, and virtual net metering at a minimum. 
• iGaming: Multiple bills expanding internet gambling were introduced during the budget process, but none of the language was included in the final bill. 

Below are the bills the Ohio Council has identified for further monitoring and advocacy:

CSWMFT Board Makes Changes for LISW Exam

On July 10, 2025, the Social Worker Professional Standards Committee voted to discontinue using the ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam as one of the qualifying exams for the Ohio Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) license. This decision was made to better align Ohio with the requirements for multi-state licensure through the Social Work Compact. However, this decision also reflects ongoing changes in the social work profession regarding mental health practice.  Starting July 10, 2026, an LISW can only be obtained by passing the ASWB Clinical Exam. The Board will consider exceptions for individuals who have started training supervision as of this date with the intention of taking the Advanced Generalist exam. If approved to take the Advanced Generalist exam, the LSW using the exam for LISW licensure will be asked to acknowledge they understand that qualifying for the LISW using the Advanced Generalist exam may limit their ability to obtain a multi-state license through the Social Work Compact or to obtain a comparable license in other states through reciprocity or endorsement.  

DCY Proposed Rule Changes DCY Residential Facility & Foster Care Licenses

Through Transmittal Letter 54, the Ohio Department of Children & Youth (DCY) released a package of rule changes to implement House Bill 315, focused on improving safety, oversight, and cross-system coordination in licensed foster care and residential treatment settings. While the policy direction is clear, several proposed provisions introduce jurisdictional inconsistencies, vague expectations, and potential duplication of existing provider responsibilities.

The Ohio Council submitted comments regarding this legislation and recommended removing the reference to “substance use disorder (SUD) residential facilities,” which are certified by OhioMHAS and not within DCY’s oversight authority. After reviewing the statutory language, we believe this inclusion exceeds the department’s authority and creates confusion about the types of settings covered under the rule.

We also raised concerns about the placement review criteria, which use vague language such as “current vulnerability” and list multiple, overlapping triggers for initiating a review. Without clearer definitions and more consistent standards, PCSAs and PCPAs may interpret the rule differently, increasing administrative burden and undermining the goal of coordinated oversight. We recommended clarifying these sections to promote consistency and operational feasibility.

Additional feedback focused on how the rules address information-sharing and communication. We recommended revising references to the “Board of Education” to instead use “school district” to avoid potential privacy violations. We also flagged concerns with a provision allowing up to 60 days for foster caregivers to receive psychological reports. Even with permissive “as soon as possible” language, this delay could impact placement stability and caregiver readiness.

Overall, our recommendations aim to clarify system roles, reduce duplication, and ensure the rules are implementable and supportive of high-quality care.

The Ohio Council’s full comments are available here.

DCY Foster Care Licensing Suspension Rule Changes

The Ohio Department of Children & Youth (DCY) has proposed rule changes outlined in Transmittal Letter 67 that are designed to give DCY authority to immediately suspend a foster caregiver or agency certification in situations involving significant child safety concerns. These rules implement provisions of House Bill 96 and are intended to ensure timely action when serious risks are identified. While we support the intent, aspects of the rules raise concerns related to enforcement boundaries, procedural timelines, and jurisdictional clarity.

The Ohio Council submitted comments regarding this legislation that addresses these concerns. One major issue is the broad language authorizing DCY to suspend certification for violations of “any other relevant chapters” of the Administrative Code. We recommend narrowing this language to ensure enforcement is limited to rules under DCY’s direct authority. Without that clarity, providers could be penalized for issues outside DCY’s jurisdiction, creating confusion and the risk of duplicative oversight.

We also flagged the lack of a defined investigation timeline once a suspension occurs. While DCY rules allow certification to remain suspended while an investigation is pending, there is no required timeframe for resolution. This is inconsistent with related rule provisions that require investigations to be completed within 30 days. We recommend mirroring that standard to preserve due process and prevent prolonged disruptions to provider operations.

Our comments emphasized the importance of clear implementation guidance, consistent timelines, and enforcement boundaries that reflect DCY’s role and authority. These changes are necessary to support safe interventions without creating unnecessary confusion or instability for providers.

Our full comments are available here.

DCY Proposed Rule Changes to Publicly Funded Childcare

The Ohio Department of Children & Youth (DCY) recently proposed changes to the Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program as part of a broader effort to streamline access, align with House Bill 96, and update eligibility, authorizations, and payment structures, as outlined in Transmittal Letter 74. While we support the goal of improving administrative consistency across counties, several provisions in the draft rules may create unintended barriers for families involved in behavioral health, recovery, or child welfare services.

The Ohio Council’s comments focused on ensuring the rules reflect how families actually engage with support systems. One major concern is the limited list of professionals allowed to verify caregiver unavailability. By excluding independently licensed behavioral health providers and nurse practitioners, the rules could delay access to childcare for families actively participating in treatment. These professionals often serve as the primary clinical contact and are well positioned to assess family needs.

We also raised issues related to how the rules treat planned absences for inpatient or residential care. Families should not lose eligibility for childcare while they are working through structured treatment or reunification plans. Without clear allowances for these situations, the system risks penalizing families for engaging in services that support long-term stability.

Additional feedback centered on the 48-hour cap for extended care, which may not work for families with overnight shifts or long-distance transportation to treatment, and on rate alignment across provider types, which could unintentionally undercut those serving higher-need families.

We recommended adjustments to make the rules more inclusive and better aligned with the goals of stability, access, and system coordination.

Our full comments are available here.

New OhioMHAS Hospital Services Chief Named

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to announce the selection of Kent Hess, MHA, FACHE, as the Chief of Hospital Services.

Hess will oversee all regional psychiatric hospitals, supervising the Central Office team of Operations, Nursing, Clinical Services, and Quality. Each RPH CEO will directly report to Hess as well. He brings a servant leadership approach to the work, OhioMHAS has said, with an emphasis on teamwork and focus on objective metrics and quality. He will report to John Kennedy, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of the department. Hess will assume his new role on July 28.

Hess served as a Captain in the Army Medical Services Corps at Fort Knox before moving to Clearfield, PA, where he assumed the CEO role at Clearfield Hospital. In 2004, he joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he held several leadership positions, including Executive Director, COO, and Interim CEO at various facilities, including OSU East, Harding Hospital, and University Hospital. Most recently, he served as CEO of Sun Behavioral Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital in Columbus.

OhioMHAS & ODHE Announces New BH Workforce Statewide Initiative

The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) have announced a new statewide initiative to further combat critical shortages in the behavioral health workforce, as part of a broader effort to recruit and retain more professionals into this growing field.

The demand for behavioral health services continues to outpace the number of professionals in the field, leaving more than 2.4 million Ohioans without access to care. To close this gap, OhioMHAS and ODHE announced the launch of a new recruitment campaign to grow and strengthen the field, referenced in the campaign as Ohio’s Wellness Workforce.

The campaign features real Ohio professionals and students who share why they were drawn to the field and encourage others to pursue a career helping those in need. Growing and strengthening the behavioral health workforce is a priority for OhioMHAS, with work underway to increase career readiness, support recruitment and retention, and enhance contemporary practice for Ohio’s behavioral health professionals.

The Wellness Workforce awareness initiative is the latest effort to recruit and retain more professionals in the field. Other initiatives include:

• Great Minds Fellowship: In partnership with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Great Minds Fellowship provided financial support to students within two years of graduation in behavioral health-related fields, jump-starting their careers and contributing to Ohio’s workforce.
• Welcome Back Campaign: The Welcome Back Campaign incentivizes seasoned behavioral health workers to return to direct service roles in Ohio communities, leveraging their expertise to address current needs.
• Behavioral Health Workforce Technical Assistance Center (BHW-TAC): The center is a professional development resource to help individuals enter and advance their careers in behavioral health.
• Behavioral Health Workforce Grant Program: OhioMHAS recently awarded more than $820,000 to support 10 local projects that increase career awareness, recruitment, and retention of Ohio mental health and addiction professionals. 

Visit mha.ohio.gov/WellnessWorkforce to view the public service announcements and learn more about Ohio’s Wellness Workforce.

ODM Reinstating FFS Prior Authorization Requirements on Aug 1

As a reminder, beginning August 1, 2025 the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) will be reinstating the Prior Authorization (PA) requirements for fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid members for the services outlined in the BH manual that require prior authorization listed on pages 22-23. After August 1, ODM will deny claims submitted without an approved PA under the FFS policy. Please see the following communication from ODM, outlining

As a reminder, PA requirements for fee-for-service Medicaid have been on hold since last year after this process was transitioned to the PNM. Prior authorization for Medicaid managed care plans remains the same currently. Please see the following communication from ODM sent previously to members from the Ohio Council, outlining the plan to reinstate PA requirements beginning August 1.

For more information

To learn more about the PNM module and Prior Authorization, visit the Provider Education and Training Resources page on the PNM portal. If you are experiencing technical issues accessing the PNM module or have specific questions, please contact the ODM Integrated Helpdesk at 800-686-1516 or [email protected]. The ODM Integrated Helpdesk is open 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Eastern time.

SAMHSA Releases 2024 Annual National Survey on Drug Use & Health

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which shows how people living in the United States reported their experiences with mental health conditions, substance use and pursuit of treatment.  This year marks the first year since 2020 in which there are at least four years of comparable data for key NSDUH outcomes to enable reporting of trends.   

Some of the key findings from the 2024 NSDUH regarding mental health include:

• In 2024, 23.4% of adults (or 61.5 million people) experienced any mental illness (AMI) in the past year.
• In 2024, 5.6% of adults (or 14.6 million people) had a serious mental illness (SMI) in the past year.

• Among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years:
• 18.8% (nearly 1 in 5) had moderate or severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• 10.6% had moderate symptoms of GAD
• 8.2% had severe symptoms of GAD
• Among adults aged 18 or older:
• 7.4% had moderate or severe symptoms of GAD
• 4.7% had moderate symptoms of GAD
•  2.7% had severe symptoms of GAD
• Thoughts of suicide among adolescents aged 12-17 declined from 12.9% in 2021 to 10.1% in 2024.
• Adolescents aged 12-17 who had a major depressive episode in the past year declined from 20.8% in 2021 to 15.4% in 2024.

Some of the key findings from the 2024 NSDUH regarding Substance Use include:

• Among people aged 12 years or older in 2024:
  • 58.3% used tobacco products, vaped nicotine, used alcohol, or used an illicit drug in the past month, defined as “current use”.
  • 46.6% drank alcohol
  • 16.7% used a tobacco product
  • 9.6% vaped nicotine
  • 16.7% used an illicit drug
  • Adolescents (age 12-17) and young adults (age 18-25) are more likely to vape nicotine products than use only tobacco products, with 71.5% of adolescents and 50.3% of young adults preferring vaping.
  • Among older adults (over age 26), most used tobacco only products (65.6%) compared to vaping (18%).
  • 43.1% of alcohol drinkers identified as binge-drinkers in the past month.
  • Cocaine use and Prescription Opioid misuse both declined in 2024.
  • Marijuana use and use of hallucinogens increased in 2024.
  • 16.8% of people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.
  • Among adults aged 18 and over, 1-in-3 (33%) had either any mental illness (AMI) or a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.

Some of the key findings from the 2024 NSDUH regarding Treatment Access include:

• More than 1-in-4 adolescents aged 12-17 with a co-occurring Major Depressive Episode (MDE) and an SUD in the past year were not able to access either type of treatment.
• Among people aged 12 or older classified as needing SUD treatment in the past year, 4-in-5 were not able treatment.
• Among people with opioid use disorder (OUD), only 17% received medication-assisted treatment in the past year.
• Among people who experienced AMI in the past year, 47.9% were not able to access any mental health treatment in the past year; and for those who experienced severe mental illness in the past year, 30% were not able to access any mental health treatment.

Read the full report here.

Read the Companion Infographic Report here

Medicare Fraud Scheme

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an alert about a fraud scheme that uses phishing fax requests, which falsely claim to be from CMS staff, to obtain medical records and documentation for auditing purposes.

IMPORTANT: CMS does not initiate audits by requesting medical records via fax

PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION: If you receive a suspicious request, do not respond.   If you think you got a fraudulent or questionable request, work with your Medical Review Contractor to confirm if it’s real.

If you have additional questions about this alert, please reach out to [email protected].

Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment Coverage Resources for Medicare

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Medicare MH Coverage MLN recently incorporating several important updates related to telehealth and digital mental health services. Notable changes include notating telehealth coverage for caregiver training, depression screening, and tobacco cessation counseling. In addition, CMS added new HCPCS/CPT codes eligible for telehealth and outlined coverage criteria for digital mental health treatment (DMHT) devices when used “incident to” behavioral health services.

The updates include added information on:

• Providing caregiver training, depression screening, and tobacco use cessation counseling services through telehealth
• Allowing the physician or non-physician practitioner written order or referral to substitute for the signature on the initial plan of care certification for certain physical, occupational, and speech-language pathology therapies

Added coverage information for:

• Digital mental health treatment devices
• Safety planning intervention and post-discharge phone follow-up contacts intervention to reduce the risk of suicide
• Opioid treatment programs, including Brixadi® and Opvee®

Updated:

• In-person telehealth requirements for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers
• Coverage requirements for marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors
• Commonly used HCPCS and CPT codes, including codes eligible for telehealth

As of today, Medicare telehealth in-person visit requirements are waived through 9/30/25. Due to the possibility that the current Medicare telehealth waivers are not extended or changed, the guidance confirms that starting October 1, 2025, Medicare will require an in-person visit within six months before initiating telehealth-based mental health services, with follow-up in-person visits at least every 12 months. An exception to the subsequent 12 month in-person requirement described in the 2022 Final Physician Fee Schedule is also not explicitly addressed by CMS in the booklet – specifically that the requirement can be waived if the patient and practitioner agree that the risks and burdens associated with an in-person service outweigh the benefits of an in person visit. 

Related updates were also made to CMS’s Substance Use Screenings and Treatment booklet, which now clarifies that providers may prescribe controlled substances like buprenorphine via telehealth through December 31, 2025. However, the booklet does not mention that prescribing controlled substances via telehealth remains permissible after December 31, 2025, provided an initial in-person visit has occurred, a longstanding permanent law established under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008. It also omits reference to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)’s final rule, effective January 1, 2026, which permanently allows buprenorphine to be prescribed via telemedicine without a prior in-person visit under certain conditions.

Keep in mind that many of these provisions—particularly the listed dates for the mental health in-person requirement to go into effect—may change if Congress passes legislation to extend telehealth flexibilities beyond September 30, 2025, or permanently eliminates the in-person visit requirement altogether. We will continue following this matter and provide updates to members as they are available.

CMS Notice Strengthening Oversight & Limiting Continuous Eligibility Initiatives

In a notice sent to states, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance intended to “reinforce Medicaid & CHIP integrity by strengthening eligibility oversight and limiting certain demonstration authorities. The department indicates that this guidance is intended to “restore accountability” and “safeguard the long-term integrity of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), emphasizing a clear shift away from policies that extend “beyond statutory limits”, specifically policies on continuous eligibility and workforce initiatives to preserve these programs for who the department deems the most vulnerable Americans.

Specifically, the notice stated:

• Expanded continuous eligibility allows some people to remain enrolled in Medicaid for a period, even if they are no longer qualified. As a result, states could be overpaying for coverage of individuals who would not normally be eligible for Medicaid or CHIP.
• Workforce initiatives were intended to strengthen and build the workforce serving Medicaid through primary care, behavioral health, dental, and home and community-based services (HCBS). 

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said about these changes: “For too long, Medicaid and CHIP have drifted away from their core mission of providing a safety net for the truly vulnerable—that ends now. CMS is restoring commonsense guardrails to Medicaid and CHIP, which will ensure that Medicaid remains a lifeline for those who are eligible and in need of quality health care.”

Key changes include a focus on two key areas: Enrollment integrity and spending focus.

Enrollment Integrity: CMS is issuing guidance to states making clear it does not anticipate approving new or extending existing section 1115 demonstration authorities that have allowed some individuals to remain enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP for extended periods of time, even if they may not have otherwise been eligible. In some cases, children could have remained continuously enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP for up to six years, even if a change in their circumstances would have otherwise made them ineligible at some point. In other cases, CMS has approved up to 24 months of continuous eligibility for adults or targeted adult subpopulations. When this is allowed in many states over time, this practice can affect millions of enrollees and could lead to unsustainable expenditures. 

Spending Focus: Likewise, CMS does not anticipate approving new or extending existing Medicaid-funded workforce initiatives—programs that use Medicaid dollars to fund certain job training or employment-related activities—which to date have involved more than $1 billion in federal commitments across California, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Vermont. CMS will allow currently approved initiatives to run out their course but does not anticipate extending them nor approving new waivers. Going forward, CMS is focused on supporting actions that demonstrate clear health benefits, cost savings, and strong accountability for federal spending.

For more information about this guidance, visit:

• Continuous Eligibility: https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/downloads/contin-elig-ltr-to-states.pdf
• Workforce Initiatives: https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/downloads/workforc-ltr-to-states.pdf

HHS Releases Federal Notice Reinterpreting “Federal Public Benefit”

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued a Notice reinterpreting the term, “Federal public benefit” as defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) 1996 welfare reform legislation. Under PRWORA, individuals who are not U.S. citizens or who are not “qualified aliens” are not eligible for “federal public benefits” as defined by the statute. This new interpretation of the definition of “federal public benefit” now encompasses more types of programs, which could impact some community behavioral health services. See HHS’ press release here.

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing released an analysis of the notice, noting that a broader definition of “federal public benefit” now encompasses numerous mental health and substance use programs, meaning that such grant funds and program income could not be used to support services provided to people who do not meet statutory criteria for “qualified alien” or who are not U.S. Citizens. Programs that now fall under this definition include:

• Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
• Health Center Program
• Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant
• Community Mental Health Services Block Grant
• Other “Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Prevention, and Recovery Support Services programs administered by SAMHSA, not otherwise listed in this notice.

It is important to note that under current law, nonprofit charitable organizations are exempt from the requirement to verify citizenship-related eligibility for federal public benefits; and at this time in the Notice, HHS indicates that further guidance or regulations regarding verification requirements is forthcoming. However, it is important to note that a provider organization may have access to eligibility information related to Medicaid or State safety-net programs, which may, in turn, include immigration status. In that case, if an organization chooses to verify even though it is a nonprofit charitable organization that is not required to do so under the Act, the organization may be required to comply with the procedures in this guidance and provide benefits only to those whom are verified to be U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals, or “qualified aliens”. The National Council recommends in that case, that organizations should consult with legal counsel to confirm if this is the correct course of action.

Read the full National Council Analysis here.

Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule

On July 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that announces and solicits public comments on proposed policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and other Medicare Part B issues, effective on or after January 1, 2026. The calendar year (CY) 2026 PFS proposed rule is one of several proposed rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide strategy to create a health care system that results in better quality, efficiency, empowerment, and innovation for all Medicare beneficiaries.

CY 2026 PFS Rate Setting and Conversion Factor

As required by statute, beginning in CY 2026, there will be two separate conversion factors: one for qualifying alternative payment model (APM) participants (QPs) and one for physicians and practitioners who are not QPs. By statute, QPs are those that meet certain thresholds for participation in an Advanced APM, which means generally that the payment model has features to ensure accountability for quality and cost of care. The update to the qualifying APM conversion factor for CY 2026 is +0.75 percent while the update to the nonqualifying APM conversion factor for CY 2026 is +0.25 percent. The changes to the PFS conversion factors for CY 2026 include these updates as required by statute, a one-year increase of +2.50 percent for CY 2026 stipulated by statute, and an estimated +0.55 percent adjustment necessary to account for proposed changes in work RVUs for some services. The proposed CY 2026 qualifying APM conversion factor of $33.59 represents a projected increase of $1.24 (+3.83%) from the current conversion factor of $32.35. Similarly, the proposed CY 2026 nonqualifying APM conversion factor of $33.42 represents a projected increase of $1.17 (+3.62%) from the current conversion factor of $32.35. Per statutory requirements, CMS is also proposing updates to the geographic practice cost indices (GPCIs) and malpractice RVUs. They are also proposing, for services that are required to be performed under the direct supervision of a physician or other supervising practitioner, to permanently adopt a definition of direct supervision that allows the physician or supervising practitioner to provide such supervision through real-time audio and visual interactive telecommunications (excluding audio-only). 

Telehealth Services under the PFS

For CY 2026, CMS is proposing to streamline the process for adding services to the Medicare Telehealth Services List. They are proposing to simplify the review process by removing the distinction between provisional and permanent services and limiting review on whether the service can be furnished using an interactive, two-way audio-video telecommunications system.

As of today, Medicare telehealth in-person visit requirements are waived through 9/30/25. If this is not extended by Congress, starting October 1, 2025, Medicare will require an in-person visit within six months before initiating telehealth-based mental health services, with follow-up in-person visits at least every 12 months. An exception to the subsequent 12 month in-person requirement described in the 2022 Final Physician Fee Schedule – specifically that the requirement can be waived if the patient and practitioner agree that the risks and burdens associated with an in-person service outweigh the benefits of an in person visit. We will continue following this matter and provide updates to members as they are available.

Policies to Improve Care for Chronic Illness and Behavioral Health Needs

CMS is proposing to improve the care of chronic diseases by reducing burdens associated with the integration of behavioral health treatment into advanced primary care management. For CY 2026, CMS is proposing to create optional add-on codes for Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) services that would facilitate providing complementary behavioral health integration (BHI) or psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) services. They are proposing the establishment of three new G-codes to be billed as add-on services when the APCM base code is reported by the same practitioner in the same month. The services of the proposed add-on codes are meant to be directly comparable to existing CoCM and BHI codes. They are also requesting information related to APCM and prevention, seeking comments on how CMS should consider application of cost sharing for APCM services, particularly, if we were to include preventive services within the APCM bundles.

To further support access to digital mental health treatment (DMHT) devices furnished incident to professional behavioral health services used in conjunction with ongoing behavioral health care treatment under a behavioral health treatment plan of care, CMS is proposing to expand payment policies for DMHT services to also make payment for devices used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They are also requesting feedback about establishing coding and payment policies for other digital therapy devices classified under other FDA regulations. Moreover, they are seeking comments on the possibility of establishing additional separate coding and payment for a broader based set of services describing digital tools used by practitioners intended as complements to mental health treatment plans of care.

The 60-day comment period for the CY 2026 PFS proposed rule (CMS-1832 P) ends on September 12, 2025. A fact sheet outlining the changes is available here.

President Trump Issues Executive Order – Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets

On July 24, the Trump Administration issued an executive order, Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.  The order focuses on making America Safe Again by addressing issues of vagrancy or homelessness by making it easier for states and cities to remove outdoor encampments and reduce loitering; promotes increased involuntary civil commitment for those who are a risk to themselves or others; directs the Departments of HHS and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make changes to federal grant programs to address homelessness and increase accountability for homeless programs.  Examples of items included under this directive include:

• “ensure that discretionary grants issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery fund evidence-based programs and do not fund programs that fail to achieve adequate outcomes, including so-called “harm reduction” or “safe consumption” efforts that only facilitate illegal drug use and its attendant harm;”
• “ensure that Federal funds for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics reduce rather than promote homelessness by supporting, to the maximum extent permitted by law, comprehensive services for individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorder, including crisis intervention services.”
• “The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, as appropriate, take steps to require recipients of Federal housing and homelessness assistance to increase requirements that persons participating in the recipients’ programs who suffer from substance use disorder or serious mental illness use substance abuse treatment or mental health services as a condition of participation.”

SAMHSA issued a “Dear Colleagues” letter dated July 29, 2025 that offered some clarifying context related to harm reduction and activities that will remain acceptable under federal grants.  While additional details are still forthcoming, the letter differentiates “opioid overdose reversal medications from other types of “harm reduction strategies that are ideologically incompatible with federal law and this Administration’s priorities.  The letter includes an initial list of Life-Saving Overdose Prevention and Response Services, which include use of naloxone and substance test kits and strips, Infectious Disease Prevention Services, and other supplies and services such as nicotine cessation services and up to $10 worth of food.  Further guidance is expected in the future, but this update was important to sustain current strategies that are reducing drug overdose deaths across the nation.

The executive order takes effect upon the President’s signature.  We will keep you informed as federal agencies release guidance or additional information become available.

Congress Recesses Amid FFY 26 Appropriations Negotiations

The House of Representative adjourned early for their summer recess without much progress on the appropriations package that is needed to fund the government after September 30th.  Continued blowback from the recent reconciliation bill (OBBB) and partisan discord over funding levels continues to create challenges in drafting bills that can pass the chamber, increasing speculation that a government shutdown may occur.  Similarly, little progress has been made in the Senate to advance FY 26 appropriations.  Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated this week a continuing resolution (CR) will likely be needed to fund the government in the short term – likely through December 2025.  It’s important to note that government funding has been continued at FY 24 appropriation levels for the entirety of FY25.  September is shaping up to be the next federal funding showdown.

OBBB Final Budget Reconciliation Healthcare Provisions Summaries

Following the signing of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) final reconciliation bill on July 4th, organizations are working to understand what impact the provisions within the OBBB will have on healthcare access. More information can be found below:

• American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released a comprehensive Summary of Health Care Provisions, as of July 8, 2025, in the OBBB.  AHIP is a national trade organization representing the health insurance industry. Its members provide health care coverage, services, and solutions to more than 200 million Americans.
• The National Council released a Summary of Key Provisions & Expanded Summary – this expanded summary provides a thorough review of the current rules, the House passed bill, and the final Senate passed bill which is the final version that was passed by the President.
• A National Academy for State Health Policy summary includes a table that defines when each healthcare provision takes effect, as effective dates for healthcare changes varies broadly.

Many provisions in the OBBB impacting behavioral health providers have delayed implementation dates; and for others, there are still many details that are unknown related to the requirements of new provisions impacting Medicaid eligibility and funding. It is important to note that the OBBB did not include a change to the FMAP for the Medicaid expansion population (Group VIII). While Ohio added the Medicaid expansion trigger language to end the expansion group coverage in the state budget (HB 96), it does not have any immediate impact as the federal law maintains the 90% FMAP for the expansion group.

Key changes include:

• Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements (aka work requirements) for the Medicaid expansion/Group VIII population will be required 1/1/27. States may implement these requirements prior to this date, and since Ohio previously submitted a Medicaid work requirement waiver request, it is possible Ohio may do so prior to this date. CMS will issue an interim final rule by June 1, 2026, for the purpose of implementing the community engagement requirement.
• Eligibility redetermination for the Medicaid expansion/Group VIII population will be required every 6 months beginning December 31, 2026. CMS will issue guidance related to the implementation of this policy within 180 days of enactment of the bill (signed 7/4/25).
• The bill includes a moratorium on new provider taxes. Provider taxes are currently capped at 6 percent, the bill phases down the threshold for expansion states to 3.5 percent by FY 2032, while preserving the 6 percent cap for non-expansion states. Beginning in FY 2028, the threshold will be 5.5 percent with a 0.5 reduction in the threshold each fiscal year thereafter until FY 2032, where it will remain at 3.5 percent for subsequent years. Ohio’s current provider tax rate is 4.37%, so the state will not see immediate revenue reductions as a result of the federal changes. However, the implementation of state-directed payments, which also include a provider franchise fee of 3.64% could affect Ohio’s cap, depending on how the new provisions are applied.
• The legislation would limit states’ ability to obtain waivers from the uniform tax requirement for Medicaid provider taxes (which includes managed care plans). Specifically, this section of the bill would prohibit waivers for tax structures that impose lower rates on providers with less Medicaid volume, or higher rates to those with more. Ohio currently operates under a waiver allowing managed care plans to be taxed differently based on attribution, enrollment, and location. The reconciliation bill eliminates this waiver but provides states with a three-year transition period. Presently, Ohio generates about $2 billion through this waiver of uniformity on the health insurance provider tax. 

On  July 21st, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) updated the OBBB impacts.  CBO revised its previous coverage loss estimate from 11.8 million people to approximately 10 million. This was primarily due to removal of a provision that would have led to an estimated 1.4 million people without documentation losing coverage that is provided by states without federal funding assistance. CBO also said the total cost of the final package is approximately $3.4 trillion.

CareSource Compass – Free Professional Development & Training Opportunities

The CareSource Workforce Development Committee is thrilled to share our latest free professional development offerings designed to support growth and enhance skills in the healthcare field through our CareSource Compass program. These opportunities are aimed at fostering continuous learning and empowerment in the various roles throughout the industry.

• Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
1. CareSource and the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (MCADAMHS) Board developed a partnership with the goal to support the workforce. Through this partnership, we are offering professional development training to licensed and paraprofessionals across all healthcare industries at no cost. We look forward to seeing you throughout 2025! These are all virtual offerings. To attend the upcoming trainings, register here:
1. Wellness Simplified: Social, Physical & Environmental (08-14-25)VIRTUAL Tickets, Thu, Aug 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
2. LGBTQ+ Patients; Transgender & Gender Affirming Care (09-30-25)VIRTUAL Tickets, Tue, Sep 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

1. In addition, we are excited to announce that we have renewed our partnership with CME Outfitters to create and maintain free CME education on cultural humility, health equity, trauma, and gender informed care, and serving members with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The four webinars are available on-demand and CMEs are available for physicians, nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy techs, optometrists, dentists, physical assistants, psychologists, social workers, and dieticians. (no cost)
1. To participate in the on-demand webinars, go to CME Outfitters here: CareSource Education Hub - CME Outfitters Medical Education

• Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)/Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM): We have certified facilitators to provide free suicide prevention training in QPR and CALM trainings

1. QPR Gatekeeper training is similar to CPR as an emergency mental health intervention. A training that is designed to teach anyone how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope and know how to get help and save a life. This training is one hour long or 1.5 hours including role play practice. This training is for any individual. (no cost)
1. QPR Institute | Practical and Proven Suicide Prevention Training QPR Institute (en-US)

2. Train the Trainer (QPR): We are also offering train the trainer for QPR with a cost ($595/person) through the QPR Institute. It would allow for your own staff to become a trainer (valid for 3 years) to support the yearly gatekeeper training for any retained and/or new staff coming into your organization. This is an 8-hour class/in person.
3. CALM Clinical Workshops are designed to introduce those providing clinical services to the rationale of means safety and teach them how to plan for, initiate and carry out effective conversations with clients and their families about reducing access to lethal means - especially firearms and medications - in times of suicide risk. Workshops are typically three hours in length and can accommodate up to 30 participants in person. Workshops include several opportunities to practice using the strategies and language that is taught. (no cost)
1. Counseling on Access to Lethal Means | CALM

• Free Social Work License Prep Course: We have partnered with NASW Ohio to sponsor free license prep sources. Individuals can access a recorded course or a live online course at no cost. Learn more information and register at Free License Prep Course - National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter

• CareSource Connections: Join us on August 21, 2025, for our monthly CareSource Connections meeting, available both virtually and in person at our CareSource Headquarters in Dayton, Ohio! After the meeting, meet one-on-one with our Behavioral Health (BH) Provider Relations team for customized operational data packages, a review of claims trends and rejections specific to your agency, and live technical assistance. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to enhance your operations and connect with our team! If you would like to attend, or have further questions, please email [email protected] with the email title “CareSource Connections”.

• Ohio Workforce Association (OWA) and Interagency Workforce Planning (IAWP) Annual Workforce Training Conference 2025: Join us at the Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center for a day of informative sessions, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities, including a dedicated track for professionals working with Ohio's young talent. Don't miss this chance to connect with industry leaders and enhance your skills! To register: OWA and IAWP 3rd Annual Workforce Training Conference 2025 Tickets, Thu, Sep 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite

CareSource is dedicated to supporting the development, recruitment, and retention of the healthcare workforce in Ohio. 

Federal Policy & Legislation

• Congressional Budget Update
• How Senate Reconciliation Bill Would Impact Healthcare
• Funding for Housing & Homelessness Programs in Jeopardy
• CMS Fraud Alert re: Phishing Fax Requests

State Policy & Legislation

• SFY 26-27 State Operating Budget Finalized - Signed By Governor
• Ohio's SUD 1115 Waiver Granted Temporary Extension
• OhioMHAS Releases SFY 2026 Community Funding Grant Information for Applicants (GIFA)
• ODM Reinstating FFS Prior Authorization Requirements on Aug 1
• OhioMHAS Incident Reporting Requirements
• Ohio Medical Board Rejects Petition to Add ASD as Medical Marijuana Qualifier 
• OhioMHAS GMF Continues Welcome Back Funds & Workforce Incentives
• CDCA Bundle CEU Policy Changes & FAQ
• Ohio to Receive up to $198M from Purdue Settlement 
• Ohio General Assembly Update

Reports & Resources 

• HPIO Releases Final Briefs in 5-Part Ohio Medicaid Expansion Study
• SUD Tx & Recovery Loan Repayment Program Now Open
• OhioMHAS Seeking Facilitators for Paid PEER Trainings
• RFP Due July 7th: Southeast Overdose Prevention Through ODH
• OSHIIP Holding Educational Events & Webinars for New Enrollees
• ODI Mental Health Insurance Outreach Toolkit
• ODH Seeking Feedback Re: Maternal Child Health Block Grant (Title V)
• HHS Issues New Guidance on Use of Benzodiazepines in Older Adults
• CDC Launches New Mental Health Data Channel
• CPR Works Differently for People Who Overdose, Study Says
• Research Explores US Health Care Ransomware & Data Breaches
• SAMHSA Releases New Resources & Advisories Re: OUD
• SAMHSA Releases Contingency Management Fact Sheet
• SAMHSA Introduction to Xylazine Video
• MHA Releases BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit
• PTSD Awareness Fact Sheets
• Ohio Council School-Based Behavioral Health Services Survey Report Now Available
• Ohio Council 2024 Salary Survey Report Available

Training & Events

• Browse Our Enhanced Events Calendar!
• Believe, Lead, Repeat - Join Us This Fall for the Ohio Council's 2025 Annual Conference 
• 42 CFR Part 8 Training Video Series
• Train the Trainer Opportunity: Impaired Marijuana Driving Training
• Free NOVA Crisis Response Team Trainings & Certification Series
• Ohio SUD COE Training Series
• OCAM 2024 Prevention Education Series
• OSPF Suicide Prevention Agency Trainings
• Peer Recovery Supporter Training Series 
• Workforce Wellness Professional Development Series

PTSD Awareness Fact Sheets

June was Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness month. PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced trauma. It impacts people of all ages and backgrounds, often in silence. PTSD Awareness Month is the perfect time to recognize the strength of those living with PTSD and reaffirm a commitment to supporting recovery, reducing stigma, and expanding access to trauma-informed care. As such, the National Center for PTSD and Mental Health America have released several resources to help individuals learn more about PTSD and access resources.

• National Center for PTSD Resources
• Mental Health America: Understanding Trauma & PTSD

MHA Releases BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In preparation, Mental Health America (MHA) has released its 2025 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit — available in both English and Spanish.

This free resource includes tools to help behavioral health professionals spark conversations and take meaningful steps to improve mental health in communities of color, including:

• Culturally grounded worksheets;
• Communication resources;
• Social media images and messages; and
• Printable posters and handouts. 

Interested in learning more? Explore the toolkit here.

SAMHSA Introduction to Xylazine Video

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Homeless & Housing Resource Center has produced a short video that provides an introduction to xylazine. Topics covered include:

• What is Xylazine?
• How does Xylazine impact the body?
• What drugs contain Xylazine?
• How to respond to an overdose
• Tips for caring for Xylazine wounds.

SAMHSA notes that the information presented in this video is not intended to provide or replace professional medical advice, medical care, or overdose response training.

View the video here.

SAMHSA Releases Contingency Management Fact Sheet

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new fact sheet “Getting Started with Contingency Management”.

Contingency management (CM) is an evidence-based treatment approach for multiple substance use disorders that uses incentives to reinforce behaviors related to recovery from substance use. This fact sheet provides an overview of the intervention as well as information about managing a rewards system, measuring success, and funding the program. 

Interested in hearing more? Check out our March webinar to hear from two programs currently using contingency management.

SAMHSA Releases New Resources & Advisories re: OUD

The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released several new resources related to Opiate Use Disorder (OUD), including:

• Advisory: Expanding Access to Methadone Treatment in Hospital Settings– This advisory provides comprehensive information for hospitals and associated healthcare facilities on best practices and recommendations for implementing and expanding treatment of OUD with methadone in these settings.
• Guidelines for Implementing Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in State Prisons – These guidelines address the implementation of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in state prisons and practical information about medications, service delivery models, regulatory requirements, staff training, and cultural issues that may affect the update and integration of MOUD.
• Naloxone Saturation Policy Academy Retrospective Report– This report summarizes the materials from the Naloxone Saturation Policy Academies (NSPA) three cohorts of 26 states, DC, and Puerto Rico into a single summary report that can be shared with state and other leaders. It includes six state spotlights highlighting work done since the policy academy.
• Advisory: Clinical Considerations for Methadone Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Correctional Facilities – This advisory highlights the importance of methadone as a tool for treating incarcerated people living with an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The advisory describes institutional arrangements for providing methadone in correctional settings.

Research Explores US Health Care Ransomware & Data Breaches

New research has shown that between 2010 and 2024, Health Care Protected Health Information (PHI) data breaches have surged, driven largely by hacking/ IT incidents, particularly ransomware attacks. Researchers from Michigan State University, Yale, and Johns Hopkins have released new research, exploring ransomware attacks across all Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA)-covered entities from 2010 to 2024 to examine the prevalence of these and their contribution to Protected Health Information (PHI) data breaches. Hacking and information technology (IT) incidents became the leading cause of healthcare data breaches in 2017; and between 2016-2021, there were 376 ransomware attacks on healthcare delivery organizations. One of the largest ransomware attacks in recent memory on ChangeHealthcare compromised the PHI of 100 million individuals, disrupted care delivery nationwide, and incurred $2.4 billion in response costs.

This study examined data breaches affecting 500 or more patient records reported to the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) from 2009-2024. The total number of PHI data breaches increased from 216 in 2010 to 566 in 2024, with hacking or IT incidents increasing from only 4% of all incidents (8 of 2016) in 2010 to 81% of all incidents (457 of 566) in 2024. The number of patient records affected by PHI data breaches increased significantly during this same time period, going from only 6 million patient records in 2010 to more than 170 million patient records in 2024, with hacking or IT incidents accounting for nearly all (91%) of those PHI breaches.

While the dramatic increase in PHI data breaches from ransomware or hacking incidents is troubling, researchers suggest that these findings likely underestimate the frequency of these issues, due to underreporting, reluctance to disclose ransom payments, and the study’s exclusion of data breaches affecting fewer than 500 patient records. Researchers suggest that hospitals, clinics, health plans, and other HIPAA0covered entities are particularly vulnerable to ransomware attacks due to limited cybersecurity resources. Researchers suggest that significant additional research and policy solutions to mitigate these challenges should be explored, including:

• Mandatory ransomware fields in OCR reporting to improve surveillance clarity.
• Revising severity classifications to account for operational impact.
• Monitoring cryptocurrency to disrupt ransom payments.

CPR Works Differently for People Who Overdose, Study Says

Individuals who enter cardiac arrest in connection with an opioid overdose may have better neurologic survival after receiving CPR that includes mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths, as opposed to compression-only CPR, a study published yesterday in JAMA Network Open has found.

If you’ve gotten CPR-certified in the last 15 years, you know that chest compressions have been increasingly prioritized over mouth-to-mouth breathing assistance. International guidance now recommends bystanders initiate compression-only CPR when someone nearby enters cardiac arrest.

But in recent years, some experts and organizations like the American Heart Association have recommended that CPR on someone who has overdosed actually should include those rescue breaths, due to the way overdose can induce respiratory arrest and low levels of oxygen in the blood. But there’s been little to no research to provide evidence for this proposal.

For the new study, researchers analyzed almost 11,000 episodes of cardiac arrest that occurred outside hospitals in British Columbia. CPR including both compressions and breathing was associated with better outcomes in opioid-associated cardiac arrests, but not in other instances of cardiac arrest. More research is needed, and potentially more education — as the authors point out, making CPR recommendations more complicated could potentially mean fewer bystanders will intervene at all.

CDC Launches New Mental Health Data Channel

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC has launched a new Public Health Data Channel offering a comprehensive look at mental health trends among U.S. youth and adults. Designed for public health professionals, the tool aggregates national and state-level data to inform strategies that improve mental well-being.

Key findings include:

• 1 in 3 high school students report poor mental health.
• 1 in 5 adults have been diagnosed with depression — yet 82% of adults say they receive needed emotional support.

Information available through the data channel includes:

• Life Satisfaction & Healthy Days: Data and resources on life satisfaction and youth and adult physical and mental health status.
• Mental Health Conditions & Care: Data and resources on youth and adult depression and anxiety and adult mental health care.
• Community & Connection: Data and resources on youth and adult feelings of loneliness and social connection and support.
• Mental Health-Related Emergency Department Visits: National data on youth and adult mental health-related visits to the emergency department.
• Suicidal Thoughts & Behavior: National data on suicide-related ED visits and suicidal thoughts and attempts among youth.

HHS Issues New Guidance on Use of Benzodiazepines in Older Adults

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued new guidance on the long-term use of benzodiazepines (BZD) in the treatment of mental health conditions, including anxiety and insomnia, in older adults. According to the new guidance document, older adults who take BZDs are at greater risk of adverse events than younger patients, including falls, hip fractures, motor vehicle collisions, delirium, cognitive impairment, and drug interaction.

HHS along with the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) strongly recommends avoiding prescribing BZDs to older adults, except under certain circumstances. For patients already taking BZDs, they acknowledge that reductions in dosage and discontinuation can result in complications and recommend that patients and their clinical teams should engage in shared decision making regarding whether, and how to taper BZDs, considering the risks and benefits of these medications.

ODH Seeking Feedback Re: Maternal Child Health Block Grant (Title V)

The Ohio Department of Health invites you to provide feedback on the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program through our public comment survey: link.

The federal Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant Program is authorized under Title V of the Social Security Act to ensure the health and well-being of women, mothers, infants, children, including children with special healthcare needs, adolescents, and their families. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is the authorized Title V agency in Ohio. Title V initiatives play a leading role in improving maternal and child health, such as reducing infant mortality, increasing access to care, and improving coordinated care for children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN). This State Profile provides a snapshot of Title V MCH in Ohio: link.

ODH is currently engaged in the fifth year of the five-year block grant cycle (federal fiscal years 2021 -2025) and is submitting its plans for the first year (fiscal year 2026, October 2025 - September 2026). The 2025 Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment provides the foundation for the development of priorities and the five-year Action Plan.

To further strengthen ongoing stakeholder and partner engagement, each year the Ohio Title V program solicits feedback and input via a public comment survey regarding priorities and strategies across the life course population domains: women, infants, children, adolescents, and children and youth with special health care needs. Results are used to help inform priorities and strategies that frame the work conducted throughout the five-year cycle to improve health outcomes for the MCH population.

The survey will be open until July 6, 2025. 

If you would like further information or have questions, please contact: [email protected].

To learn more about Ohio’s Title V program, please visit https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/title-v-maternal-and-child-health-block-grant/title-v.

ODI Mental Health Insurance Outreach Toolkit

The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) has released a new Mental Health Insurance Assistance (MHIA) Outreach Toolkit, with ready-to-use materials to help anyone share important information about MHIA Office’s valuable services and resources that help Ohioans with their mental health insurance needs.

These materials are designed for use across a range of communication platforms, including websites, newsletters, social media, and other outreach channels. The toolkit also has draft captions and copy to help you easily share information accurately. MHIA is part of the Ohio Department of Insurance.

ODI’s Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office offers free, confidential help people understand their mental health benefits, and can explain and help customers navigate coverage, benefits, and next steps for getting care. To contact the MHIA Office, you can call them at 855-438-6442, email them at [email protected], or can visit their website at www.insurance.ohio.gov/getMHIA.

OSHIIP Holding Educational Events & Webinars for New Enrollees

The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) is holding "Welcome to Medicare" educational events in-person as well as monthly webinars. Their next in-person event “COAAA Medicare for Beginners Workshop” is July 9, and the next general Medicare enrollment informational webinar is July 15.

If you are nearing Medicare eligibility, OSHIIP recommends attending one of these webinars to familiarize yourself with coverage options. OSHIIP's representatives provide an overview of Medicare, Part A and B benefits, Part D prescription drug coverage, Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, eligibility, enrollment, financial assistance, and important deadlines.

OSHIIP, nationally recognized for its exceptional service, helped Ohioans on Medicare save $54 million in 2024.

To attend an upcoming webinar, register today HERE.

To attend an upcoming in-person event, register today HERE.

RFP Due July 7th: Southeast Overdose Prevention through ODH

The Overdose Prevention Health Navigators of Southeast Ohio (SE26) competitive solicitation for Overdose Prevention has been released by The Ohio Department of Health. The application is due by 4pm on Monday, July 7th. Please note: All applicants must be based in the Southeast Region of Ohio (regional map is on page 5 of the solicitation).

ODH will fund up to five agencies and/or organizations within the designated region to deploy health navigator(s) for the purposes of implementing overdose prevention programs. This grant opportunity encompasses the key strategies for prevention components 6-9 of the Overdose Data to Action In States grant and has a strong emphasis on the following sectors: health care system and clinician supports (those not covered through ODH EDCC program); harm reduction programs, community-based organizations and public safety settings.

If you have any questions about this solicitation, please contact Emily Ganz by phone (614) 752-7447 or by email at [email protected]

OhioMHAS Seeking Facilitators for Paid PEER Trainings

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is seeking facilitators for the delivery of the OhioMHAS 40-hour online and in-person Adult Integrated Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) Training.

Facilitators are paid $1,500 per 40-hour PRS training. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 25th, 2025 at 3pm. Interested parties can apply to become a facilitator here.

The OhioMHAS 40-hour Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) Training is a live, interactive training that teaches prospective Ohio Adult Certified Peer Recovery Supporters (CPRS) in recovery from a mental health and/or substance use disorder to use their experience to help their Peers who are also in recovery. Prospective CPRS engage in role-play activities and learn the skills necessary to offer high quality Peer Support. Upon successful completion of PRS training, perspective CPRS are eligible to apply for Adult PRS Certification in Ohio. 

FACILITATOR TRAINING DATES:

The facilitator training will be held via Zoom, on the following dates and times. Please apply only if you are available to attend training during the below dates/times, as alternate dates/times are not available. The training is 4 days total, for a total of 16 hours. Training dates are as follows:

• September 15, 16, 18, 19, 8am – 1:30pm (with a 1 hour break at 10:30am)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active Ohio Adult Peer Recovery Supporter Certification
• Facilitators must have a direct lived experience, and self-identify as being in recovery from a mental health or substance use disorder.
• Willingness to speak about your personal lived experience of mental health and/or substance use issues in a group setting. 
• 1 or more years’ experience working as a Peer Recovery Supporter.
• Experience facilitating groups and/or delivering training.
• Strong working knowledge of Peer Support, mental health issues, and substance use disorders.
• Strong working knowledge of Zoom. Facilitators must be able to independently run Zoom meetings and utilize all Zoom features (including but not limited to: chat, breakout rooms, polling, annotate, screen-sharing). Experience facilitating groups and/or delivering training on Zoom is preferred. Zoom skills will be tested during facilitator training.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to complete & digitally sign PDF forms in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Professional written and verbal communication skills.
• To best serve Ohio citizens in all regions, due to a high percentage of the current facilitator roster residing in Northeast Ohio, priority will be given to applicants residing in Northwest, Southwest, Southeast and Central Ohio.

Please note: applications will only be accepted using the application link. Applications may not be submitted by e-mail or postal mail. This opportunity is for individuals who wish to facilitate the PRS training. If you wish to register as a participant of the 40-hour PRS Training, please visit this webpage for more information: Complete the OhioMHAS PRS Training | Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Questions: [email protected]

SUD Tx & Recovery Loan Repayment Program Now Open

If you're a behavioral health clinician, clinical support staff, or trained in substance use disorder treatment, the STAR Loan Repayment Program offers up to $250,000 toward student loans. In return, you’ll commit to six years of full-time service at an approved facility, bringing vital care to communities that need it most.

The application is open now through July 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Learn More & Apply Now

New Security Feature: To start your application, you will set up an account in My BHW. My BHW requires multifactor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of protection to your account and reduces the risk of fraud. With MFA, you must use Google Authenticator on your mobile phone or tablet each time you log in. Follow the Quick Start Guide to set up your authentication. 

Check Your Eligibility: To apply, you must meet these basic requirements: 

1. United States citizen, national, or permanent resident
2. Fully licensed, credentialed in an eligible discipline, a registered SUD professional
3. Full-time employee at a STAR LRP-approved facility

HPIO Releases Final Briefs in 5-Part Ohio Medicaid Expansion Study

HPIO has partnered with subject matter experts and two national research organizations, Urban Institute – to conduct state budget impact modeling and Regional Economic Partners – to undertake economic modeling, to describe how the 2014 expansion of Medicaid in Ohio has impacted coverage, access, and affordability of healthcare; and to estimate the future impacts if Medicaid Expansion is discontinued in the future.  You can read a 4-page summary of all five briefs here.

Briefs in the series explored:

• The State of Ohio Budget
• Jobs & The Economy
• Health Insurance Coverage & Costs
• Parents, Caregivers, & their Children
• Access to Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Key findings from the Medicaid Expansion & State Budget Report:

• Costs, Revenue, & Savings: While the state currently pays 10% of Medicaid expansion costs, expansion generates state revenue and produces state savings, resulting in an effective state share of 1.4%.
• Revenue from Economic Activity: Medicaid expansion is projected to generate over $1.1 billion over the next 5 years in state general revenue from personal income taxes, sales taxes, and gross receipts taxes.
• Net Savings: Discontinuing expansion would save substantially less than the state share amount, it would reduce federal funds coming to Ohio by over $42 billion over 5 years, and would leave an estimated 435,000 Ohioans without coverage.

Key findings from the Jobs & The Economy Report:

• Eliminating expansion would slow job growth by more than 50,000 in Ohio, compared to if Medicaid expansion remained intact over the next 5 years: 45% of job losses would be in healthcare and 55% would be across other sectors, including construction, administrative, and restaurant.
• Ohioans would see $4.7 billion decline in personal income growth: Household personal income would reduce on average $900 per household.
• Eliminating Medicaid expansion would slow state tax revenue by $220.6 million: More than 25% would come from income tax losses and remaining 75% from sales and commercial activity taxes.

Key findings from the Healthcare Coverage & Costs Report:

• Ohio’s uninsured rate would increase: Estimates suggest uninsured rates could increase by 80% in 2026.
• Low-income Ohioans have limited access to employer-sponsored insurance: 66% of low-wage workers would be ineligible for employer-sponsored health insurance and would become uninsured.
• Ohio households, employers, and providers would spend more on acute care.

Key findings from the Parents, Caregivers, & Children Report:

• Children’s uninsured rate decreased from 7.5% in 2013 to 6.5% in 2023 after Medicaid expansion.
• Health & well-being are supported.
• Women are connected to needed care before pregnancy.

Key findings from the Mental Health (MH) & Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Report:

• High Demand: 45% of adults covered by expansion had a primary MH or SUD diagnosis in 2024.
• Significant Investments: Ohio received more than $1 billion in federal funds for community-based and hospital BH services for expansion enrollees in 2024.
• Potential Risk: If expansion was discontinued, many Ohioans would lose access to treatment.

Believe, Lead, Repeat – Join Us This Fall for the Ohio Council’s  2025 Annual Conference

October 29–30, 2025
Hilton Columbus at Easton | Columbus, Ohio
Theme: Believe, Lead, Repeat: Behavioral Health Leadership in a Complex World

We’re excited to announce the dates for the Ohio Council’s 2025 Annual Conference! This high-impact, two-day event brings together 300+ behavioral health leaders from across Ohio for meaningful learning, networking, and innovation.

Join chief executives, clinical directors, program managers, HR professionals, and finance teams from provider organizations statewide as we explore the future of behavioral health care in a rapidly changing world.

Registration and hotel details will be available soon!

Interested in Sponsoring?

Sponsorship opportunities are now available! This is a powerful way to connect with leaders in the behavioral health field, promote your brand, and show your support for community-based services across Ohio. Multiple sponsorship levels are available to fit a variety of budgets and marketing goals.

Click here to view and complete the 2025 Sponsorship Packet

For more information, contact Corinne Cowan at [email protected]

Ohio General Assembly Update

As noted earlier in this document, on Wednesday, June 25, the Ohio General Assembly passed HB 96, the state operating budget for state fiscal years 2026-2027. For the first time in several years, the budget bill did not receive any votes from the minority party. The vote in the Ohio House was 59-38 and 23-10 in the Ohio Senate. HB 96 is now before Governor Mike DeWine for his review, subject to his line-item veto authority, and ultimately his signing before the beginning of the new fiscal year, which starts on July 1st.

Ohio to Receive up to $198M from Purdue Settlement

The Ohio Attorney General (AG) announced that AGs in 49 states, D.C, and 5 U.S. territories have signed on to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. Now that the state sign-on period has concluded, local governments nationwide will be asked to join the settlement, which is subject to the approval of a federal bankruptcy judge.

Communities nationwide will receive settlement funds over the next 15 years to support addiction treatment and prevention as well as recovery services. In Ohio, the state and local governments will receive up to $198 million from the agreement.

As with previous opioid settlements, the resolution of claims by state and local governments is contingent on bankruptcy court approval. A hearing on the matter is scheduled in the coming days. Subject that final approval in bankruptcy court, the funds will be distributed according to the established OneOhio plan: 55% to the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, 30% to local governments, and 15% to the state.

This settlement is the latest settlement in a string brokered to help fund opioid recovery in Ohio. Prior settlements include:

• An $808 million settlement with opioid distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen.
• A $185 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• A $24.7 million settlement with McKinsey & Co. 
• A $114 million settlement with Walmart
• A $679 million settlement with drug makers Teva and Allergan and pharmacies CVS and Walgreens 

CDCA Bundle CEU Policy Changes & FAQ

As shared in a prior announcement, beginning July 1st, 2026, the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDP) is changing the way OCDP will accept CEUs for the CDCA-PRE and CDCA applications. This change will impact both, CDCA-PRE/CDCA applicants, as well as existing CDCA-PRE/CDCA continuing education providers and sponsors. The OCDP Board has released a new FAQ about these changes, which is also included below.

For more detailed information about the requirements of a CDCA bundle, please visit CDCA Bundles. For any questions or clarification, please contact [email protected].

INFORMATION FOR CDCA APPLICANTS: Beginning July 1st, 2026, CDCA-PRE and CDCA initial applicants will no longer be able to use multiple individual CEU certificates. Courses (or a series of courses) must be completed and formatted within a CDP Board newly approved CDCA bundle. The CDCA-PRE and/or CDCA Education bundle will still contain the same number of hours currently in each content area; however, the topics covered within those areas are now more specific. This will allow for a foundation of learning that every CDCA-PRE and CDCA applicant will receive. All current CDCA “bundles” will be expired at the end of the year and only new bundles will be approved to meet CDCA application requirements.

Individuals wishing to obtain a CDCA-PRE or CDCA certification will be directed to a page on the OCDP Board website with a listing of all board approved CDCA bundles by provider, along with contact information on how to access the 40- or 30-hour course from the specific provider.

INFORMATION FOR CE PROVIDERS: The OCDP Board is inviting all current one-and two-year Education providers or any continuing education sponsors that currently have approved CDCA bundles to submit for a free review of their content. To participate in a free content review, all content must be submitted to the OCDP Board by December 31st, 2025. These reviews typically cost $350, so the OCDP recommends sending your application and content for review and board approval so you may save $350.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):

Q1: Are the newly approved CDCA bundles required for application AND renewal?

A1: CDCA bundles are ONLY required for the initial CDCA preliminary and CDCA applications. Multiple individual CEU certificates are still eligible to meet renewal requirements.

Q2: Will CDCA preliminary applicants still be required to take the OCDP ethics course on e-Based academy after the bundles are implemented?

A2: No, CDCA preliminary applicants will NOT need to take the e-Based academy OCDP ethics course, unless the approved Bundle provider is using this course to meet the ethics requirement within their approved Bundle.

Q3: Can applicants still use college courses to apply for the CDCA PRE or CDCA instead of a CDCA bundle?

A3: Yes, applicants can absolutely still use college courses, however they cannot use a combination of both college coursework and CEUS after July 2026. Also, since 50% of TOTAL education must be completed less than five years prior to applying, if college coursework education is older than five years an applicant must take an approved education bundle or take all new college coursework to meet application requirements.   

Q4: How does this update affect applicants who are in the process of completing their education requirements?

A4: Anyone who started CEU’s for the CDCA-PRE before December 31st, 2025, and apply prior to December 31st, 2026, can be approved by since CEUs or older CDCA packages.

Anyone awarded their CDCA-PRE after January 1st, 2026, must complete the CDCA Renewable education by approved bundle, because education must be completed after the CDCA-PRE is awarded.

Q5: If as a CE approved provider, we already have a CDCA PRE and CDCA Bundle approved by the Board located in CE Broker, do we have to apply to be approved?

A5: Providers that currently have an approved CDCA Preliminary or CDCA bundle should check their current bundle and make sure courses align with the updated specific content or contact the OCDP Board to apply for a free content review.

Q6: Does this mean all single courses need to be expired by the end of the year?

A6: No, Providers and Sponsors do NOT need to stop offering single courses. Single courses in Content Areas 1-9 are very important for new applications for the LCDC II, LCDC III, and LICDC. Additionally, all renewable licenses and certifications need these hours for renewal.

Again, for additional questions or clarification about these changes, please contact [email protected].

OhioMHAS GMF Continues Welcome Back Funds & Workforce Incentives

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is continuing its partnership with Health Impact Ohio (HIO) to support graduates of the Great Minds Fellowship (GMF) program and recipients of the GMF Workforce Commitment Incentive. Eligible individuals will be able to apply for recruitment and retention bonuses totaling $10,000.

The Great Minds Fellowship program and the GMF Workforce Commitment Incentive were designed to increase the number of Ohioans entering behavioral health professions, offering an important pathway for graduates to gain practical experience and join OhioMHAS-certified community behavioral health centers (CBHCs). Health Impact Ohio continues to facilitate the application process and ensures that qualified individuals receive their recruitment and retention bonuses.

Under this initiative, eligible Great Minds Fellowship program graduates and GMF Workforce Commitment Incentive recipients will receive:

• A $5,000 sign-on bonus upon accepting a position at an OhioMHAS-licensed CBHC
• An additional $5,000 bonus after completing one year of employment at a CBHC
• Click HERE for more information about the program and instructions on how to apply.

OhioMHAS announced an expanding partnership with Health Impact Ohio (HIO) to continue supporting former behavioral health professionals returning to the workforce. Beginning June 1, 2025, eligible returning professionals will be able to receive a $3,000 hiring bonus. The Welcome Back Campaign is designed to incentivize former behavioral health professionals to return to the workforce and join OhioMHAS-certified community behavioral health centers (CBHCs).

Under this initiative, eligible former behavioral health professionals will receive:

• A $3,000 sign-on bonus upon accepting a direct-care position at an OhioMHAS- certified CBHC.
• To receive the sign-on bonus, an eligible returning professional must be hired in a direct-care role between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2026.
• Click HERE for more information about the program and instructions on how to apply.

Funding for the Welcome Back hiring bonus will be provided through each OhioMHAS-certified CBHC that hires a former behavioral health professional into a direct-care role. Each returning professional must have been separated from the behavioral health workforce for at least 30 days. Reimbursement applications for the hiring bonus will open on June 1, 2025.

Ohio Medical Board Rejects Petition to add ASD as Medical Marijuana Qualifier

The State Medical Board of Ohio met on Wednesday, June 11, and discussed the petition for refractory autism spectrum disorder.  After the discussion, the full board accepted the recommendation of the Medical Marijuana Committee and voted to reject the petition.

Under Ohio law, the following are qualifying medical conditions: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Huntington’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, Spasticity, spinal cord disease or injury, terminal illness, Tourette syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

The next submission period is scheduled for Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025.  Anyone may submit a petition requesting a condition be added to the OMMCP. If a condition has been previously rejected by the board, the new petition must contain new scientific information that supports the request.

OhioMHAS Incident Reporting Requirements

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) recently indicated that overall incident reports are below historical reporting levels. In order to ensure compliance, we are sharing a reminder about the OhioMHAS incident reporting rule and requirements.

5122-26-13 outlines the OhioMHAS incident reporting requirements. Reportable incidents are outlined in Appendix A of the rule.  Providers are responsible for developing an incident reporting system to ensure reporting is completed in a timely manner and to review and analyze all reportable incidents to identify and implement corrective measures designed to prevent recurrence and manage risk. Each provider shall submit reportable incidents to OhioMHAS using the Web Enabled Incident Reporting System (WEIRS). Providers must submit six month reportable incident reports to OhioMHAS following the schedule outlined in paragraph G and using the form in Appendix B. Providers are encouraged to review their current process to ensure compliance with the rule and educate staff on the requirements for reporting incidents.

ODM Reinstating FFS Prior Authorization Requirements on Aug 1

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has released the below communication, outlining the plan to reinstate the Prior Authorization (PA) requirements for fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid members for the services outlined in the BH manual that require prior authorization listed on pages 22-23. As a reminder, PA requirements for fee-for-service Medicaid have been on hold since last year after this process was transitioned to the PNM. Prior authorization for Medicaid managed care plans remains the same at this time. ODM’s communication is below:

Beginning August 1, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) will deny claims submitted without an approved prior authorization under the Fee-For-Service (FFS) policy. This change is critical to ensure compliance with Ohio Medicaid’s updated requirements. To help you prepare for this transition, ODM has developed a comprehensive support plan:

• Training Opportunities: Beginning June 25 through August 5, ODM, in partnership with Provider Network Management (PNM) and Fiscal Intermediary (FI), will offer 10 two-hour training sessions. These sessions are designed to walk through the updated prior authorization process. We strongly encourage all providers to attend at least one session.  
• Warning Period: Starting July 1, claims submitted without the required prior authorization will receive a detailed warning edit notice in the remittance advice. This is your opportunity to correct submissions before denials begin.
• Enforcement Begins: On August 1, claims without proper prior authorization will be denied.

Attending training will ensure you are fully prepared and confident in navigating the updated process.

Registration steps for enrolling through the learning management system:

Access the Absorb Learning Management System to register for the training. If you do not have an Absorb account, you must create one to access all training sessions, answer forms, and view various PNM module resources. For help, please see our job aid and follow the steps to create your account and/or register for training. 

Please note that all claims remain subject to post-payment review. Since providers have already been instructed to submit prior authorizations, we anticipate minimal disruption.

Thank you for your continued commitment to providing quality care while maintaining compliance with Medicaid policies.

For more information

To learn more about the PNM module and Prior Authorization, visit the Provider Education and Training Resources page on the PNM portal. If you are experiencing technical issues accessing the PNM module or have specific questions, please contact the ODM Integrated Helpdesk at 800-686-1516 or [email protected]. The ODM Integrated Helpdesk is open 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Eastern time.

OhioMHAS Releases SFY 2026 Community Funding Grant Information for Applicants (GIFA)

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) has released the SFY 2026 Community Funding Package memo and Grant Information for Applicants (GIFA) and program guidelines that ADAMH Boards use for funding services based on their local community plan. View the SFY 2026 documents here. Please note that OhioMHAS has posted an FAQ and we understand the Program Guidelines are being revised to address a couple issues.

Funding amounts are preliminary and subject to change based on the finalization of state and federal funding amounts available to the Department. It is expected that the GIFA reports and allocations will be updated shortly after the SFY26-27 state operating budget is finalized on or around the beginning of July.

The six new “state block grants” are included in the SFY 26 GIFA and allocation amounts are based on the Governor’s as-introduced budget amounts, which is common practice during budgeting years. The MHAS new state block grant funding allocations are based on SFY 25 allocation amounts for the funds that are rolled into the new state block grants.  The intent is to maintain current GRF funding levels from SFY25, pending final allocations in the approved budget, with any new SFY26 funding increases distributed under the new funding methodology.  Of note, the federal block grant allocation to ADAMHS Boards has been reduced, with MHAS holding back ~25% of base funding, with additional federal funding variations based on usage in a given region. This is intended to support crisis services expansion and/or adjust for other potential federal funding reductions under discussion. 

Also of note: there is a new requirement that any provider receiving block grant funds – including those passed through by ADAMHS Boards – must now submit an application in GFMS. This was previously only required for direct-funded providers. Providers currently receiving block grant funds passed through by ADAMHS Boards will have until December to complete their applications.

As you review this information, have discussions with your ADAMHS Boards, and evaluate preliminary reports, you are encouraged to send questions to OhioMHAS at [email protected].

Ohio’s SUD 1115 Waiver Granted Temporary Extension

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has released information that it’s application to temporarily extend its Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver has been extended through December 31, 2025. Ohio’s original substance use disorder (SUD) demonstration waiver was approved in September, 2019, to support a comprehensive continuum of care for Medicaid-enrolled individuals living with an Opioid Use Disorder or other SUDs.

Ohio’s application to extend its Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver was submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in April 2024. ODM has received multiple temporary extensions to continue to operate under the 1115 waiver past the original expiration date of September 30, 2024, to allow CMS to complete its review of the state’s extension application.

A copy of the most recent SUD 1115 Temporary Extension Letter from CMS is available HERE.

Questions regarding the waiver may be submitted via email to [email protected].

SFY26-27 State Operating Budget Finalized – Signed By Governor

On June 25, the Ohio House and Senate passed HB 96, the $200 billion SFY 26-27 state operating budget, and presented the bill to Governor DeWine for review, line-item veto, and signature. The Senate passed the budget 23-10, with Sen. Louis Blessing (R-Colerain Twp.) joining Democrats in opposition.  The House approved it by a vote of 59-38. Joining Democrats in opposition were Rep. Tim Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie), Rep. Levi Dean (R-Xenia), Rep. Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-Canton) and Rep. Michelle Teska (R-Centerville). The Governor DeWine then had until June 30 to review, veto, and sign the bill.

The final conference committee bill included the Senate’s proposed 2.75% flat income tax proposal as well as the majority of the upper chamber’s K-12 school funding proposal after removing the performance payment from the base funding formula.  On the property tax issues, the conference committee modified the House’s proposal, which will impact school funding specifically, but will also remove the ability for taxing authorities to use replacement levies after 1/1/26 and expand the authority of the County Budget Committee to make determinations on whether approved tax levies are “reasonably necessary and prudent to avoid unnecessary, excessive or unneeded tax collections”.  While not directly related to behavioral health, these overarching policy issues impact available revenue to fund services at both the state and local levels.

HB 96 also maintains the Senate’s approach to funding sports facilities using unclaimed funds, which is anticipated to draw a legal challenge.  Separately, the conference committee was unable to reach consensus on the adult use cannabis and Delta 8/9 bill under deliberation by both chambers.  As such the decided to retain 36% of the tax revenue for local municipalities that are host communities as passed by the voters but defers distribution pending passage of the marijuana legislation this fall.  The remaining 64% of the adult use cannabis tax is going into the general fund.  The two chambers were also unable to muster support to tax internet gaming, which was anticipated to be a source of revenue for this budget. 

Other key provisions decided by the Conference Committee in HB 96, the SFY26-27 state operating budget, include:

• Medicaid funding levels (525 line item) amounts set at $20.B and $21.2B respectively, which is a middle ground between the House and Senate passed appropriation proposals.
• Medicaid trigger language to immediately terminate coverage for Group VIII (expansion group) if there is any change in the FMAP remains. Also requires the Medicaid Director to establish a transition plan to assist individuals that would no longer be eligible to access private insurance subsidies or charity care. (The conflict between “immediately terminate” and develop a transition plan remains)
• Requirement for Group VIII to complete Medicaid redetermination every six months retained, if permitted by CMS
• Permits hospitals to continue presumptive Medicaid eligibility but adds an annual reporting requirement on all presumptive eligibility practices annually.
• Maintains the ODM “hospital package” with regard to provider tax (franchise fee) increases and adopts the Senate modifications on 340B drug program to support FQHCs and compromise language limits state directed payment programs to 50.  This bill requires reporting to the General Assembly on both 340B drug pricing program and state directed payment programs.
• Permits individuals enrolling in the Medicaid program to select the MCO of their choice and if no choice is made, to randomly assign an MCO without any preference or other criteria for assignment.
• Requires ODM to submit an 1115 Re-entry waiver
• Requires ODM to create sub-accounts in the 525 line to identify specific revenue sources by program
• Eliminates continuous Medicaid eligibility for children through age 3.
• Incorporates HB 356 that requires the Auditor of State to conduct an audit of all individuals enrolled in the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid program to examine if members exceed the countable assets limits set in federal law and to remove them from the program is they do.
• Sunsets the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC) now that the House and Senate have standing Medicaid Committees.  Establishes these standing committees will meet jointly and transfers the remaining responsibilities of JMOC to LSC.
• In the DBH (formerly MHAS) Funding:
• 988 funding will be $25.5M in SFY26 (increased from Senate $23M) and $23M in SFY 27 (increased from Senate $20.5M).  While we appreciate the added funding, this remains below the current funding of $26M and did not consider increasing call volume or the MRSS policy changes.
• Reduced Prevention and Wellness Funding (406 line item) to $5.5M each year.
• Maintained Criminal Justice funding (422 line item) at $28.5M each year, which is $6 more than current, but $6.8M less than the executive proposal and reduces the distribution under the new CJ state block grant from $6.8M to $5.1M and $5M each year respectively while increasing funding for the BH Drug Reimbursement program from $5.25M to $6.5M each year.
• Reductions to community innovation ($15M for EHRs) and BH Assistance ($20M) retained;
• Peer recovery support certification transition to the Chemical Dependency Professional Board language was removed.
• Permits DBH to suspend licensure of a class one children’s residential program without a hearing under specified circumstances.
• Requires DBH to publish a directory of all licensed residential facilities (rather than ODM)
• Establishes confidentiality of investigation materials for recovery housing investigations.
• Creates an Ibogaine Treatment Study Committee and a High THC Cannabis Impact Research Study.
• Requires state child serving agencies to collaborate and provide a report on data and policy recommendations to serve multi-system youth.
• Provide $10M to a statewide non-profit organization to provide cannabis prevention. 
• Permits DCY to conduct an RFP to establish a statewide rate care for foster care placement payment but exempts foster homes and kinship caregivers from the statewide rates established.
• Requires DCY to adopt specified rules for group homes serving children including revocation of licensure.
• Retains the kindergarten readiness assessment
• Creates a Child Care Cred program as proposed by the House allowing cost sharing of childcare with employees, employers, and DCY.
• Requires DCY, through the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, to contract with a non-profit to develop and implement the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative.
• Authorizes $10M each year for DCY to establish regional child wellness campuses. Separately earmarks $350,000 for the Providence House Every Child Ohio Feasibility Study.
• Restores funding authority for PCSAs to the Executive Budget level but changes the language to specify this is “up to” rather than “not less than”.
• Permits County Commissioners to decline to establish or maintain a family children first council.
• Maintains the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency as an independent entity
• Require ODJFS to request federal approval to exclude sugary drinks from SNAP
• Bans the creation and distribution of fabricated sexual images of another person without their consent and requires customer age verification for any online pornography services/sites.
• Requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) to reimburse pharmacies for the actual acquisition costs but no longer requires a minimum dispensing fee.
• The Conference Committee did not restore the executive proposal to fund child tax credits, increase eligibility for publicly funded child care, address lead abatement, or funding for libraries. 

HB 96:  As Reported by Conference Committee: Passed by the House and Senate

LSC Resources  (Appropriation Summary, Comparison Documents)

As mentioned prior, Governor DeWine was presented with the budget bill for his review, to issue any vetoes, and ultimately sign the legislation. Accordingly, late in the evening on June 30, Governor DeWine signed HB 96 into law and issued several line-item vetoes. Of note, Governor DeWine maintained the high-profile legislative priorities inserted into the budget, including the Medicaid expansion “trigger” language terminating the program if Congress reduces the 90% FMAP, implementation of a state tax cut, and $600 million in state funding to help the Cleveland Browns build a new domed stadium by using “unclaimed funds” from the state treasury.

Governor DeWine also vetoed several key provisions of importance to our system:

• DeWine vetoed many of the property tax provisions and restrictions in the budget, including the repeal of “replacement levy.” He also announced the creation of a property tax reform working group with legislators, agency officials, school officials, community members, and property tax experts.
• DeWine vetoed the repeal of continuous Medicaid enrollment for kids 0-3.
• A couple of anti-LGBTQ provisions were vetoed: The restriction on funds for youth homeless shelters that "affirm social gender transition" and the prohibition on library display of materials related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Multiple education provisions were vetoed or altered, including a removal of the Educational Savings Account Program to provide public funds to students in non-chartered non-public schools, and a removal of the legislature's authority to oversee SB1 compliance.
• DeWine vetoed the greater restriction on Controlling Board approval authority, which would have capped authority at $100M/program/FY.
• DeWine also vetoed the Conference-added provision limiting ODM to only request $250M per FY from the HHS Reserve Fund.
• DeWine vetoed the increase to the Personal Needs Allowance for technicalities, and ODM will implement this increase via rule.
• The Governor also vetoes language prohibiting any state employee from working from their place of residence unless an exception applies.

For additional information, please see Governor DeWine’s complete veto messages.

The Ohio Council will continue to monitor activities and share information as it becomes available, including any further developments and how state agencies will begin to implement the new budget provisions, especially with respect to Medicaid funding and OhioMHAS continuum of care efforts.

Finally, we are continuing to monitor the status of the federal reconciliation package, which has the potential to impact the state’s operating budget.  A number of key provisions remain under negotiation, and it may be several days or even weeks before we have a clear picture of the final outcome.

CMS Fraud Alert re: Phishing Fax Requests

On The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an alert about a fraud scheme that uses phishing fax requests, which falsely claim to be from CMS staff, to obtain medical records and documentation for auditing purposes.

IMPORTANT: CMS does not initiate audits by requesting medical records via fax

PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION: If you receive a suspicious request, do not respond.   If you think you got a fraudulent or questionable request, work with your Medical Review Contractor to confirm if it’s real.

If you have additional questions about this alert, please reach out to [email protected].

Funding for Housing & Homelessness Programs in Jeopardy

In response to a more than 44% cut to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) affordable housing and community development programs, which would re-shape how homelessness, permanent supportive housing (PSH), and affordable housing programs are funded and operate, the National Low Income Housing Coalition has prepared an Advocacy Toolkit for Opposing Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing.

According to a recent National Alliance to End Homelessness’ recent policy brief, in addition to a slew of budget shifts and reductions within external agencies that intersect with the work of homelessness prevention and response (including significant proposed cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, etc.), the proposed changes to HUD’s budget that would have an immediate and direct impact affordable housing & homelessness initiatives include (but are not limited to):

• Eliminating most federal rental assistance programs administered by HUD and replacing them with a new “State Rental Assistance Program – where the funding would be decreased by 57.5%, or $26.72 billion.
• Reducing fair housing initiative funding by more than half.
• Eliminating funding for HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & HOME Investment Partnership program, that funds affordable housing development.
• Consolidating the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) into the existing Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program, zeroing out the HOPWA program ($505M) and reducing the amount available for Homelessness Assistance Grants by $27 million.
• Zeroing out the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
• Formally eliminates the US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), which is the agency that has led coordination of the federal response to homelessness for decades.

To see how these policy shifts may affect you, you can view a dashboard of Federally Funded PSH Units by State here and a dashboard of the Impact of Losing of Emergency Housing Vouchers by State here.

All of these programs and initiatives work to support people who are experiencing hardship, including mental health and substance use disorders. Access to stable and affordable housing contributes to success overcoming hardships and are integral in supporting successful treatment outcomes. To advocate to protect affordable housing and funding that supports mitigation of homelessness, you can use NLIHC’s FY26 advocacy toolkit, Opposing Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing.

4 Ways the Toolkit Recommends taking action:

1. Organizations can sign a national letter opposing cuts to federal housing investments, and in support of expanding resources
2. Contact your members of Congress and educate them about the importance of federal affordable housing and homelessness investments and why cuts to these investments will harm your communities and neighbors. Urge federal lawmakers to expand - not cut - investments in HUD programs in the FY26 spending bill, including NLIHC’s top priorities:
   1. Full funding to renew all existing Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) contracts and funding to renew 60,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs).
   2. Increased funding for public housing operations and public housing capital needs.
   3. $4.922 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) program.
   4. $20 million for the Eviction Protection Grant Program (EPGP).
   5. At least $1.3 billion for HUD’s Tribal housing programs and $150 million for competitive funds targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.
   6. You can find data and information about what the affordable housing crisis looks like in your community here. While data is helpful, sharing your story can help build a connection with lawmakers by finding shared values, and highlight the impact lawmakers’ decisions have on individuals, families, and communities. Learn more about effective storytelling with NLIHC’s resource, “Storytelling Tips and Tricks.”
3. Check out the “Reject Housing Cuts and EHV Funding Cliff: Action Toolkit,” developed in partnership with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and National Housing Law Project. The toolkit has talking points, resources, advocacy ideas and more, and will be updated as additional information and resources become available!
4. Post on social media using #HandsOffHousing, using NLIHC’s sample social media messages in this toolkit.

How Senate Reconciliation Bill Would Impact Healthcare

A new report from Manatt Health provides in-depth insight and analysis focused on the impact that the current Senate Reconciliation Bill would have on Healthcare.

The Senate Finance Committee’s reconciliation legislation includes Medicaid and Marketplace policies that resemble those included in the House-passed reconciliation bill—with changes that make even deeper Medicaid cuts. In addition to changing several provisions, the legislation altogether omits a number of policies, including a slew of Marketplace provisions, from the House-passed bill.

Key Provisions related to MEDICAID include:

Medicaid, generally: Mirroring much of the House-passed legislation, the Senate Finance Committee text would make profound changes to Medicaid that would dramatically cut funding and restrict access to health care through the program. Compared to the House language, the Senate included major changes to Medicaid provisions related to provider taxes, state-directed payments (SDPs), Medicaid work requirements and coverage for noncitizens.

Provider taxes: The Senate bill makes a significant change to the House-passed bill’s provider tax provision by layering on top of the moratorium on new or increased provider taxes from the House bill a reduction in the 6% cap down to 3.5% for expansion states only. Expansion states will see their 6% cap decline by 0.5 percentage points per year beginning in federal fiscal year 2028, though skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities are exempt from this cap ramp down.

State Directed Payments (SDPs): The Senate bill sharply diverges from the House bill with respect to State Directed Payments (SDPs) in expansion states. Under the Senate language, expansion states would need to reduce their SDPs by ten percentage points per year beginning in 2027 until the SDPs were no greater than 100% of Medicare. The Senate language retains the House’s cap on new directed payments of 100% of Medicare for expansion states and 110% of Medicare for non-expansion states.

Work requirements: The Senate Finance Committee bill retains the basic structure of the House-passed work requirements, including the ban on access to subsidized marketplace coverage for those who lose Medicaid, but it makes some modifications that will impact the provision’s implementation and exemptions. First, the Senate version maintains the expedited January 1, 2027 implementation date added at the last minute in the House, and clarifies that states can implement earlier via a section 1115 demonstration. However, it also permits states to—pending approval by the Secretary—request an implementation delay of up to two years through December 31, 2028, as long as the state demonstrates a “good faith effort” to come into compliance and meets new reporting requirements.

The Senate bill makes additional changes to the compliance and exemptions provisions included in the House-passed bill, including:

• Limiting the exemption from work requirements for parents, guardians, caretaker relatives or family caregivers to individuals with dependent children 14 years or younger (no age limit for dependent children was defined in the House-passed bill);
• Giving states flexibility to determine mandatory exemptions without requiring individuals to verify the underlying information;
• Establishing an additional “short-term hardship” exemption for people traveling for an extended period to access medically necessary care for a serious or complex medical condition that is not available in the individual’s community;
• Limiting the look back period for demonstrating compliance up to three months prior to application; and
• Prohibiting states from using contractors (e.g., Medicaid managed care plans, prepaid inpatient health plans) to determine whether enrollees are complying with the work requirements, unless the contractor has no financial relationship with the health plan providing the enrollee’s Medicaid coverage.

Noncitizen coverage provisions: The Senate bill makes three significant changes to the House bill regarding health coverage for noncitizens.

1. In a new provision, the Senate bill would end the availability of federal Medicaid funding for certain groups of lawfully residing noncitizens who have been covered through Medicaid for decades, including refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking (although states would retain the option to cover children and pregnant people with these statuses).
2. With respect to emergency Medicaid, the Senate bill provides that states will see their federal Medicaid match (the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage or “FMAP”) cut to their regular FMAP for emergency services provided to certain noncitizens who currently qualify for an enhanced rate.
3. With respect to the House-passed FMAP penalty for expansion states that have programs that provide health coverage to certain types of noncitizens, the Senate bill clarifies that states will not receive an FMAP reduction for providing any form of coverage required by federal law, any form of coverage (including state-funded coverage) to qualified noncitizens (including humanitarian parolees), or federally funded coverage to lawfully residing children and pregnant women in Medicaid or CHIP.

Key Provisions related to MEDICARE include:

While the Medicare provisions in H.R. 1 were relatively brief, most of them have been stripped from the Senate Finance Committee proposal. This includes the modified exception for orphan drugs under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, the Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor update and all of the Medicare Part D pharmacy benefit manager policies. The bill does, however, retain the provision to restrict immigrant eligibility.

Key Provisions related to the MARKETPLACE include:

The Senate Finance Committee’s language on premium tax credit (PTC) eligibility would make it harder to enroll and re-enroll in coverage and limit immigrant eligibility for PTC, significantly decreasing the number of individuals receiving PTC and covered by the Marketplace. Provisions to do so include ending automatic re-enrollment and the ability to receive advance payments of the PTC (APTC) with a pending application. A newly added provision would explicitly allow the Marketplace to use electronic data that is available to it or data from a reliable third-party source to determine eligibility through the reverification process. In addition, another change would allow the Secretary to waive the inability to receive APTC while verification is pending for an individual who enrolls in the Marketplace through a special enrollment period (SEP) for a change in family size.

Notably, the Senate language does not include many of the Marketplace elements of H.R. 1. Among the many provisions in H.R. 1 that are not included in the Senate Finance or HELP Committee language are:

• Limiting open enrollment periods and SEPs,
• Lowering the permissible actuarial values of Marketplace plans,
• Restricting gender-affirming care as an essential health benefit,
• Creating the Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense Arrangement (CHOICE) to allow employers to contribute to the purchase of individual market coverage, and
• Various private insurance and health savings account provisions. 

The Senate language may change in the days and weeks ahead as negotiations continue and the Senate undergoes the “Byrd Bath.” For now, Senate Republicans still hope to pass the legislation before July 4.

Click HERE to view bill text.
Click HERE for a section-by-section.
Click HERE for a bill overview.
Click HERE to view the 2025 Tax Reform landing page.

Congressional Budget Update

On Tuesday, July 1, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1, the tax and reconciliation package by a vote of 51-50 (Vice President Vance breaking the tie), so now the legislation moves back over to the U.S. House for its review of the revised bill. The Senate version includes additional changes to Medicaid, which will drive deeper funding reductions, alongside some last-minute changes that help lessen some of the likely negative impact. While these last-minute changes are welcomed, they fall far short of mitigating the expected negative impacts. Please see an updated summary of key provisions included in the Senate-passed bill, as well as the National Council’s press statement. The revised bill goes back to the House, where members must approve and pass it before it can be sent to President Trump for his signature. A vote on the revised bill in the House is expected this week.

As we’ve previously shared, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, by a vote of 215-214-1 in late May. Notably, the House did not vote to reduce the federal FMAP, impose per capita caps or block grants on Medicaid expansion states. The U.S. House also included a provision that would “grandfather” provider taxes in certain states that already have such Medicaid financing mechanisms in place.

Our partners at The National Council for Mental Wellbeing provided a summary of key changes related to Medicaid below, which included:

• Creating exemptions for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorder conditions to the cost-sharing requirements for Medicaid enrollees. Such individuals will not be required to participate in cost-sharing, nor will they be required to comply with the bill’s work/community engagement provisions, though many of the details concerning both exemptions will be determined at the state level.
• Moving up the start date for work/community engagement requirements, from the originally planned Jan. 1, 2029, to Dec. 31, 2026 (or earlier, if individual states elect to accelerate their own timeline).
• Reducing the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage from 90% to 80% for the expansion population in states that provide Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage to certain lawfully residing children and pregnant women (current estimates suggest this will impact 33 states and Washington, D.C.).
• Increasing the cap on state-directed payments for non-expansion states to 110% of the Medicare rate for a given service, while grandfathering in existing payments above that rate in those states. The 100% cap for new state-directed payments in expansion states remains unchanged.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate has taken a more aggressive approach to addressing spending cuts to the Medicaid program during its deliberation of H.R. 1 – putting in jeopardy, many states, including Ohio’s, “provider tax” financing mechanism. Ohio Council, working with our National Council partners, have communicated our preference for the House version over the Senate version. While the Senate-passed version includes major federal funding cuts to Medicaid that were opposed by hospitals and doctors and would sharply boost the number of people without health insurance – it importantly, does not reduce the FMAP for Medicaid expansion states, thus not triggering Ohio’s immediate termination of the Group VIII expansion program. 

Federal Policy & Legislation

• Congressional Budget Update
• Federal Regulators Announce Non-Enforcement of the 2024 Rule for Mental Health Parity
• MAHA Report on Child Health Released
• CMS Launches Revised Innovation Center MAHA Strategy

State Policy & Legislation

• OhioMHAS Capital Plan Requests for FY 2027- FY2032
• Next Generation MyCare Program Update
• Ohio Medicaid Matters: Share Your Story
• State Plan on Aging (SPOA) to Hold Listening Sessions
• Medicaid School Program (MSP) Proposed Rule Changes (5160-35-02, 05, & 06)
• Medicaid Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Rules Proposed (5160-34)
• Medicaid Incident Management Requirements Proposed Rule Changes (5160-44-05)
• OhioMHAS Prevention Services Rule (5122-29-20) Proposed to be Rescinded
• Survey Opportunity: Ohio Youth BH Services Assessment: $25 - $50 Stipends
• OhioMHAS Announces Trauma-Informed Care Innovation Grants
• Ohio General Assembly Update

Reports & Resources 

• Ohio Council School-Based Behavioral Health Services Survey Report Now Available
• Medicaid Expansion Generated $1.6 Billion in Federal Dollars for BH Treatment in Ohio in 2024
• National Academies Releases Framework for AI in Health Care
• Link Between Social Media Use & MH Issues Among Teens
• Link Between Parent Technology Use and Early Childhood Development
• Report: Out-of-School Programs are Critical for Youth Wellbeing
• DEA Releases Annual National Drug Threat Assessment
• Medicaid Unwinding Linked to Reduced Access to Buprenorphine
• Research Shows Lack of Proper SUD Screening for Youth
• Connection Between Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies & MH Symptoms
• Medicaid-Funded Housing Pilot Supports Whole-Person Care
• Training & Work Continues at Ohio SUD-COE, Despite Federal Cuts
• School-Based Health Center Food Security Practice Survey
• Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) Strategic Plan RFP
• Ohio School-Based Health Centers RFP Available
• Ohio Council 2024 Salary Survey Report Available

Training & Events

• Now Easier to Navigate - Browse Our Enhanced Events Calendar!
• Register for PNM Module Refresher Trainings
• 42 CFR Part 8 Training Video Series
• Train the Trainer Opportunity: Impaired Marijuana Driving Training
• Free NOVA Crisis Response Team Trainings & Certification Series
• Ohio SUD COE Training Series
• OCAM 2024 Prevention Education Series
• OSPF Suicide Prevention Agency Trainings
• OhioKAN Adoption Competency Training
• Creating a System of Safety: Advancing Suicide Prevention in Primary Care Settings
• Peer Recovery Supporter Trainings
• Workforce Wellness Professional Development Series

Register for PNM Module Refresher Trainings

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), in partnership with Maximus, the Provider Network Management (PNM) module vendor, is excited to share that we are continuing our provider awareness and training efforts. Training is scheduled for May 27-June 4. The training schedule is available on the PNM and Centralized Credentialing page. Below, you will find instructions on how to register and a list of topics covered in each session.

Registration steps for enrolling through the learning management system:

Access the Absorb learning management system to register for the training. If you do not have an Absorb account, you must create one to access all training sessions, answer forms, and view various PNM module resources. For help, please see our job aid and follow the steps to create your account and/or register for training.

Training topics:

• Provider Administrator Role (including change of Provider Administrator process)
• Provider Agent Role
• New Medicaid Enrollments (First-time applications entered by the Provider Administrator)
• Updating/Changing to Medicaid Enrollment Information
• Medicaid Enrollment Revalidations
• Entering and Searching for Professional Claims

Note: Additional session details are available within the Absorb course listing.

For more information:

To learn more about the PNM module and Centralized Credentialing, visit the PNM and Centralized Credentialing page on the Next Generation website. If you are experiencing technical issues accessing the PNM module or have specific questions, please contact the ODM Integrated Helpdesk at 800-686-1516 or [email protected]. The ODM Integrated Helpdesk is open 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Eastern time.

Ohio School-Based Health Centers RFP Available

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) recently hosted a bidders conference for their School-Based Health Center RFP, which is currently open through June 23rd. ODH currently funds 19 SBHC projects in 26 counties. Applicants must be a local public or nonprofit agency with capacity to provide comprehensive primary healthcare to youth and accept electronic fund transfers (EFTs).

ODH will fund up to 32 grants, with awards ranging from $50,000 - $500,000, depending on the deliverables selected and the types of projects. There are 2 applications currently available:

1. Planning Grant: Up to $50,000 for year-one funding (10/1/25-6/30/26) and up to $500,000 for year-two funding, including up to $250K for capital costs (7/1/26 – 6/30/27). The Planning Grant is intended to support new SBHCs.
2. Start-Up Grant: Up to $500,000 for year-one funding, including up to $250K for capital costs (10/1/25-6/30/26) and up to $100,000 for year-two funding for start-up support (7/1/26 – 6/30/27). The Start-Up Grant is intended to support experienced SBHCs.
3. Operational/Expansion Grant: Up to $500,000 for year-one funding, including up to $250K for capital costs (10/1/25-6/30/26) and up to $100,000 for year-two funding for either operational support or SBHC expansion (7/1/26 – 6/30/27). The Operational/Expansion Grant is intended to support experienced SBHCs.

For additional information, interested applicants can view the following materials:

• Slides from the May Bidder’s Conference
• SBHC Application Template
  
• Most recent SBHC FAQ – published 5/27/2025

The SBHC FAQ will continue to be updated through June 13th. If you have additional questions regarding this opportunity? Reach out to LeAndra Capers at [email protected] or Jen Casertano at [email protected]; and they will be added to the FAQ document.

Applications are due June 23rd and must be uploaded in the new Grants Management Information System Portal (GMISP). GMISP-specific questions should be directed to [email protected].

Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) Strategic Plan RFP

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation has announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for individuals or organizations interested in leading the strategic build for OSPF. 

OSPF is seeking innovative and experienced leaders to develop and implement effective strategies that will enhance OSPF’s mission and impact in the community. The selected candidate or organization will play a crucial role in guiding OSPF’s initiatives and ensuring that they meet our goals for suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

Key Details:

• RFP Release Date: May 2025
• Submission Deadline: June 13, 2025
• Proposal Requirements: Please refer to the attached RFP document for detailed information on submission guidelines, evaluation criteria, and project expectations.

OSPF encourages all interested parties to review the RFP. Any questions related to this opportunity can be forwarded to Stephanie Stitt or Kerry Shaw. 

School-Based Health Center Food Security Practices Survey

The School Based Health Alliance is working with Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign to better understand how SBHCs are supporting food security among the students and families they serve. At a time when potential cuts to food security loom, your responses will provide valuable insights to inform policy, funding, and technical assistance strategies to strengthen food security interventions in SBHCs nationwide.

Take the survey here today!

Training & Work Continues at Ohio SUD-COE, Despite Federal Cuts

In a communication released in May, leaders from the Ohio Substance Use Disorder Center of Excellence (SUD-COE) informed partners and stakeholders that pauses in federal funding have had significant impacts on their work. While some of their activities have been paused, they were writing to inform stakeholders that training activities through the SUD-COE continues.

• Current Training Registration through the SUD-COE is available here.
• Current resources through the SUD-COE are available here.

Leadership from the SUD-COE also shared recent performance indicator documents, showing success that exceeded their own expectations, that included needing to institute a waitlist for training opportunities, serving over 400 unique organizations in 2025 alone, training over 1,100 professionals in February of 2025 alone.

• See their February outcomes here.
• See their March outcomes here.

Considering their continued growth in demand and success, the SUD-COE is continuing to partner with the State of Ohio and partners at OhioMHAS to return to the full execution of their shared mission and vision for the center. In the meantime, the SUD-COE Advisory Committee will reconvene for their regularly scheduled July 23rd meeting.

Medicaid-Funded Housing Pilot Supports Whole-Person Care

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco have published their findings evaluating California’s Medicaid housing support pilot program, part of the state’s CalAIM initiative. This program offers a range of housing services, including navigation support, security deposit assistance, and landlord outreach—to Medicaid beneficiaries with complex health and social needs. The study, published in JAMA, found that these services helped many participants move closer to housing stability and offered valuable insights into how Medicaid can play a stronger role in addressing housing as a social determinant of health.

The evaluation showed that most participants received at least one type of housing-related service, and those who received a combination of supports, such as both navigation and move-in assistance, experienced greater progress toward securing stable housing. The pilot also demonstrated that providing housing services through Medicaid is not only feasible but can fill critical gaps for people who are often overlooked in traditional housing systems, including individuals with behavioral health conditions.

Key lessons from the pilot highlight the importance of flexible, person-centered service delivery and the need for strong coordination between health and housing sectors. The program was most effective when case managers had smaller caseloads and could tailor services to participants’ unique needs. Additionally, streamlined referrals, sustained funding, and investments in the housing support workforce were identified as crucial to long-term success.

This study reinforces that Medicaid-funded housing supports can be a powerful tool to improve health and stability for individuals with high needs, particularly those with behavioral health challenges. The findings suggest that to maximize impact, states should design programs with flexible service models, strong cross-sector partnerships, and an ongoing focus on housing access as essential to whole-person care. As more states explore Medicaid housing interventions, California’s experience offers a strong roadmap for how to do it effectively.

Connection Between Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies & MH Symptoms

In May 2025, researchers from Harvard University and Boston Children's Hospital published a study in JAMA examining the connection between state-level policies that target gender minorities and mental health symptoms among transgender and nonbinary people. The study found that individuals living in states with more restrictive policies—such as bans on gender-affirming care or limitations on bathroom access—reported significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. This research adds to growing evidence that anti-LGBTQ+ policies are not just political issues, but public health concerns that directly impact mental wellbeing.

The study used survey data from over 64,000 U.S. adults collected between 2020 and 2022. Researchers compared mental health symptoms among transgender and nonbinary individuals living in states with varying levels of legal protections and restrictions. They found that people in states with more discriminatory policies were 8% more likely to report symptoms of moderate or severe depression and 6% more likely to report moderate or severe anxiety, compared to those living in more affirming policy environments. These differences held even after accounting for other factors like age, race, and income.

The authors suggest that these outcomes may be linked to the stress of living in a hostile policy climate—what some researchers refer to as "structural stigma." They also note that these policies may affect access to care, increase fear of discrimination, and weaken community and social support systems. For transgender and nonbinary individuals, especially youth, the mental health impact of policy decisions can be profound and long-lasting.

This study underscores the urgent need for behavioral health providers and policymakers to consider the broader legal and social environment when addressing mental health. Laws and policies that target gender minorities can have real, measurable effects on psychological wellbeing. To improve outcomes, policymakers should work to promote inclusive, protective policies, while behavioral health systems must ensure access to affirming, culturally competent care for transgender and nonbinary communities.

Research Shows Lack of Proper SUD Screening for Youth

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School have found that many youth are not being properly screened for substance use disorders (SUD) during routine healthcare visits. The study used national data from over 45,000 adolescents and young adults and found that current screening practices often fall short of recommended guidelines. This means that many young people with early signs of substance use may be missed, delaying support and care that could help them.

The study found that less than half of youth said they were asked about substance use during doctor visits, and even fewer were screened using standardized tools. When screenings did happen, they often focused only on certain substances like alcohol or tobacco, and didn’t use tools like the CRAFFT questionnaire, which is recommended for identifying substance use risks in youth. The researchers also found that younger teens, and Black and Hispanic youth, were less likely to receive thorough or appropriate screenings.

These gaps matter because early and consistent screening is key to catching problems before they get worse. Without proper screening, youth may not get connected to help like counseling or prevention programs, and their substance use may go unnoticed until it becomes more serious.

This research, published in JAMA, highlights the need for stronger screening practices in pediatric and adolescent care. Healthcare providers should be supported with training and tools to screen all youth during routine visits, using evidence-based methods. Policymakers can also help by encouraging the use of standard screening tools and ensuring care teams have the time and resources needed to do this work well, especially for young people who are often overlooked.

Medicaid Unwinding Linked to Reduced Access to Buprenorphine

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health examined how Medicaid coverage losses during the 2023 Medicaid “unwinding” period and released their findings reviewing how patient access to buprenorphine was affected. Buprenorphine is a key medication for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). The study focused on Medicaid-insured adults and compared states with the largest drops in Medicaid enrollment to those with smaller decreases. It found that states with the largest losses saw significant declines in buprenorphine prescriptions—raising serious concerns about continuity of care during a time of ongoing overdose risk.

The researchers looked at national Medicaid data between January and December 2023, focusing on buprenorphine dispensing trends. In states with the highest drops in Medicaid enrollment (more than 10% decline), buprenorphine prescriptions fell by 7.7% after redeterminations resumed in April 2023. In contrast, states with the lowest enrollment declines (less than 2%) saw no significant change in prescriptions. This suggests that insurance instability during unwinding directly affects patients’ ability to access life-saving treatment.

The study, published in JAMA, emphasizes that Medicaid is the largest payer for OUD treatment in the U.S., and interruptions in coverage, even if temporary, can have immediate and dangerous consequences for individuals managing addiction. These coverage losses may lead to treatment disruptions, increased risk of relapses, and higher overdose rates, especially in communities already facing high opioid-related harm.

For behavioral health policy, these findings highlight the critical need for policies that protect access to OUD treatment during Medicaid transitions. State Medicaid agencies and health systems should prioritize streamlined reenrollment, automatic coverage renewals when possible, and outreach to individuals receiving OUD treatment. Ensuring continuous access to medications like buprenorphine must be a top priority to prevent avoidable overdose deaths and support long-term recovery.

DEA Releases Annual National Drug Threat Assessment

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released its annual National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA), providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of illicit drug threats in the United States. The report underscores the persistent dangers posed by synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, and the evolving tactics of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) in drug production and distribution.

Key Findings:

• Synthetic Opioids Remain a Primary Threat: Illicitly manufactured fentanyl continues to be the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the U.S., often mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of unintentional overdoses.
• Emergence of New Adulterants: The veterinary tranquilizer xylazine remains a common additive in fentanyl, and the more potent anesthetic medetomidine has recently been detected, raising concerns about increased toxicity.
• Polydrug Combinations Increasing: The mixing of fentanyl with other drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine is becoming more prevalent, complicating treatment and prevention efforts.
• Youth Marijuana Vaping on the Rise: Over four million individuals aged 12 to 20 reported vaping marijuana in the past year, indicating a growing trend among youth.

Transitional Criminal Organizations (TCOs): The DEA identifies Mexican cartels, notably the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), as primary producers and traffickers of illicit drugs into the U.S. These organizations have established extensive networks for drug distribution and money laundering, often utilizing Chinese money laundering networks to process illicit proceeds.

Policy & Enforcement Implications: The 2025 NDTA emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and adaptation in combating drug threats. It calls for enhanced collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies, as well as international partners, to disrupt drug trafficking operations and address the public health crisis posed by illicit drug use.

Report: Out-of-School Programs are Critical for Youth Wellbeing

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a new report, “The Future of Youth Development: Building Systems & Strengthening Programs”, emphasizing the critical role of out-of-school programs, such as after-school and summer programs, in supporting the health, development, and well-being of children and youth. The report concludes that these programs provide essential benefits, especially for young people from underserved communities, but are often underfunded, unevenly available, and overlooked in public policy. The authors call for expanded investment and coordination to ensure that all children have access to high-quality, supportive out-of-school time (OST) programs.

The report outlines a wide range of benefits provided by OST programs, including improved academic achievement, stronger social-emotional skills, better physical and mental health, and reduced risk behaviors. It also highlights how these programs offer safe, structured environments during non-school hours, times when children are at higher risk for exposure to harm, especially in low-income or high-need neighborhoods. Importantly, the report finds that programs are most effective when they are consistent, inclusive, and culturally responsive.

Despite their proven value, access to OST programs is limited. Barriers include insufficient funding, transportation challenges, workforce shortages, and uneven quality standards across communities. The report stresses that rural areas, low-income families, and children of color are most likely to lack access to enriching out-of-school experiences. The authors also highlight the need for stronger partnerships across education, public health, and community sectors to improve coordination and sustainability of these programs.

For behavioral health and youth policy, this report reinforces the importance of OST programs as protective environments that support mental wellness, resilience, and positive identity development. Goals to improve OST programs included:

• Support funding stability for OST programs.
• Invest in intermediary organizations, like nonprofits or after-school networks.
• Advance program quality efforts.
• Create career pathways for youth development practitioners.
• Broaden and improve understanding of OST time programs and participation to better assess outcomes.

Policymakers are urged to treat OST programming as a core component of youth development and community health—not a luxury. Expanding access to quality programs can reduce inequities, prevent behavioral health issues, and create pathways for lifelong success.

Link Between Parent Technology Use and Early Childhood Development

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco published a study in JAMA Pediatrics examining whether parents’ use of digital devices—like smartphones or tablets—around their young children is linked to developmental delays. The study focused on children under the age of 5 and found that frequent parental tech use during parent-child interactions was associated with slightly lower developmental scores in key areas like communication and social skills. The findings add to growing concerns about how screen use, even by adults, can affect early childhood development.

The study analyzed data from more than 14,000 parent-child pairs across the U.S. Researchers looked at how often parents used technology in the presence of their children and compared those patterns to children’s development across several domains: communication, problem-solving, social interactions, and motor skills. Children whose parents frequently used devices around them scored lower in areas such as language development and social engagement. These effects were observed even after adjusting for family income, parental education, and other factors.

The researchers suggest that when parents are frequently distracted by technology, it may reduce the amount and quality of responsive interactions—like talking, playing, or making eye contact—that are essential for healthy brain development in early childhood. This reduced engagement may limit children’s opportunities to build language, emotional, and problem-solving skills during a critical period of growth.

This study highlights the importance of supporting parents in developing healthy tech habits, especially in the early years of a child’s life. Pediatricians, behavioral health providers, and early childhood programs can play a role in educating families about the importance of face-to-face interaction. Policy efforts could also promote public awareness campaigns or parenting supports that encourage “tech-free” time during meals, play, and other shared routines to help foster healthy child development.

Link between Social Media Use & MH Issues Among Teens

Researchers from University College London published a longitudinal study in JAMA Network Open in May 2025 that explored how social media use relates to depressive symptoms in early adolescence. The study followed nearly 14,000 youth in the U.K. from ages 11 to 14 and found that more frequent social media use was linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms, especially for girls. These findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about how digital environments can influence youth mental health and raise important considerations for behavioral health providers, educators, and policymakers.

The study used data from the Millennium Cohort Study and included both self-reported social media use and assessments of depressive symptoms over time. At age 11, most youth reported relatively low use of social media, but by age 14, usage had increased significantly, particularly among girls. For girls, heavy social media use at age 11 was associated with increased depressive symptoms by age 14, even after accounting for other factors like prior mental health, family environment, and screen time overall. The pattern was less clear for boys, with weaker and more inconsistent associations.

Researchers suggest that social media may contribute to mental health struggles in early adolescence by increasing exposure to cyberbullying, reinforcing negative body image, or replacing in-person social support with more isolating digital interactions. The gender differences found in the study may reflect the ways girls engage with and are affected by social platforms, particularly in highly appearance-focused or emotionally intense online spaces.

For behavioral health policy and practice, the findings point to a need for early, gender-sensitive prevention strategies. Schools, providers, and families should be equipped with tools to support healthy social media use and monitor digital well-being starting in preteen years. Policymakers might also consider how regulations or guidance around youth social media use could be part of broader strategies to support adolescent mental health.

National Academies Releases Framework for AI in Health Care

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) released a new report called Artificial Intelligence in Health, Medical, and Biomedical Fields: A Framework for a Code of Conduct. This special publication offers clear guidelines for how artificial intelligence (AI) should be used in healthcare, including behavioral health. As AI tools are being used more often to support clinical decisions and improve care, the report stresses the need for ethical and responsible use. The framework is especially important for behavioral health, where trust, privacy, and fairness are critical. It has clear implications for policymakers, providers, and healthcare leaders working to integrate AI into care safely and effectively.

The framework outlines ten core principles, such as transparency, fairness, accountability, and patient safety. It urges developers, clinicians, and healthcare organizations to work together to make sure AI tools don’t worsen health disparities or cause harm. It also calls for more community input—especially from those who are often left out of health decisions. While many regulations for AI exist, the report notes that they are often scattered and inconsistent, and this framework is meant to provide a shared standard for using AI responsibly.

The report also includes practical steps for putting these principles into action. It recommends creating internal review processes, training staff on AI use, and making sure the data that AI systems rely on is accurate and well-managed. While the report gives examples from fields like radiology and cancer care, it highlights behavioral health as a key area where ethical use of AI is both important and complex, due to sensitive data and the challenges of mental health care.

For behavioral health, this report offers a helpful roadmap. As AI becomes more common in mental health screenings, suicide prevention tools, and treatment matching, following a clear and ethical code of conduct will be key. Policymakers can use this framework to shape rules for AI in behavioral health, and providers can use it to guide how they evaluate and adopt new tools in their systems.

Medicaid Expansion Generated $1.6 Billion in Federal Dollars for BH Treatment in Ohio in 2024

New analysis from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio has found that Medicaid expansion brought in more than $1.6 billion in federal funds in 2024 to pay for behavioral health services such as outpatient counseling, psychiatric medical services and residential drug treatment programs, as illustrated above.
 
Click here to view the full report.
 
If Medicaid expansion is eliminated, the state would have to cover those costs or face significant reductions in treatment availability. Maintaining current state investments and replacing even 50% of the federal funds would cost Ohio more than $999 million a year.
 
Behavioral health conditions are common among Ohioans, including those with Medicaid coverage. In 2024, 40% of Ohioans enrolled in Medicaid expansion had a primary mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis.
 
“If expansion was discontinued, many Ohioans would lose access to treatment,” according to the brief. “Policy priorities such as improving supports for recovery and re-entry and suicide prevention could be curtailed.”
 
The findings are included in the first in a series of policy briefs in HPIO’s 2025 Ohio Medicaid Expansion Study. The second brief, Parents, Caregivers, and Their Children is also available. 
 
Ohio policymakers are considering discontinuation of Medicaid expansion coverage if the federal government reduces the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) (i.e., federal match) for this group below the current 90% federal contribution. This decision would impact approximately 770,000 Ohioans. HPIO’s recently released Policy Considerations: The Future of Group VIII (expansion) Medicaid Coverage in Ohio brief contains more general information and considerations about Medicaid expansion coverage as policymakers consider the future of the program.

Ohio Council School-Based Behavioral Health Services Survey Report Now Available

The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers has released their 2024-2025 School-Based Behavioral Health Services Report, which highlights the continued growth and impact of partnerships between community behavioral health centers (CBHCs) and Ohio’s school districts. This year, school-based behavioral health (SBBH) services are being delivered to over 3,850 school buildings, a 232% increase since 2017. SBBH partnerships now reach 692 school districts, charter schools, and ESCs statewide, offering a full continuum of care that includes prevention, treatment, crisis response, and family engagement.

The 2025 results also affirm something provider organizations have long known: families are a vital part of effective school-based behavioral health care. 97.5% of SBBH providers are actively engaged in consultation with families and school staff; and nearly 90% of deliver behavioral health services directly to parents and caregivers. Whether at home, in school, or in other community environments, strong SBBH partnerships ensure students can access mental health support from both trained professionals and trusted adults alike. Furthermore, 100% of SBBH prevention providers utilize evidence-based programs, reinforcing the reality that high-quality SBBH programs are grounded in well-researched, effective practices that are proven to improve, both, students’ health outcomes and academic performance.

Despite the continued growth of SBBH services, this year’s results also continue to underscore ongoing workforce shortages and funding gaps threatening the sustainability of SBBH programs. Nearly 80% of providers report difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified staff, with salary and funding limitations cited as the top barrier. While the report continues to highlight urgent workforce and funding challenges, it also provides clear recommendations and strategies for policymakers to strengthen and sustain this critical work, including increasing workforce retention efforts; expanding sustainable funding streams; improving infrastructure for telehealth; and growing screening, prevention, and early intervention efforts.

Interested in learning more?

• Read our full 2025 School-Based Behavioral Health Services Report 
• Read our 1-page SBBH Services Report Summary 
• Read our 4-page 2025 SBBH Services Survey Data Highlights Summary

Ohio General Assembly Update

With the initial committee hearings concluded and the amendment submission deadline now passed, Senate leadership has begun its review of the various budget proposals, aiming to release a substitute bill on June 3rd or 4th. The Senate Finance Committee is holding a series of hearings to accept public testimony before a sub bill is introduced and accepted, with a Senate floor vote projected for June 12. Senate leadership emphasized the importance of fiscal discipline and flagged Medicaid, including the “trigger” language for the expansion program, K-12, tax reform, and higher education as priority issues. During the Senate budget process, the Ohio Council testified before the Senate Medicaid and Health Committees and submitted written testimony to the Senate Finance Committee, while also engaging lawmakers and key staff in meetings and discussions to advocate on behalf of community behavioral health providers.

OhioMHAS Announces Trauma-Informed Care Innovation Grants

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) has announced nearly $114,000 in regional grants to provide trauma-informed care (TIC) services statewide and in each of Ohio’s six TIC collaborative regions. The aim of the grants is to reach families, organizations, and communities with new innovative approaches, best practices, and prevention and intervention programs. The investment will support nine regional entities around Ohio working to incorporate and expand TIC services in their areas.

The grants will be used to support and enhance work in clinical, organizational, and recovery spaces. As the work is developed, implemented, and evaluated at the local and community levels, these projects and funding aim to scale TIC work to regional and multi-county levels to increase impact, awareness, and knowledge.

Funded projects include:

• Southeast Trauma-Informed Care Collaboration (SETICC) $2,600 (Southeast Region)
  • Increase the number of behavioral health providers who are certified in the Nurtured Heart Approach – a strengths-based, relationship-focused methodology. This project will reach 50 professionals in the 21-county SETICC region.
• Focus on Youth $10,000 (Southwest Region)
  • Provide comprehensive training, resources, and support for foster families, adoptive caregivers, and behavioral health professionals.
  • Create partnership between experts and behavioral health professionals to implement Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) model that addresses the complex needs and promotes healing in children who have experienced trauma or adversity.
  • Train 100 professionals and build at least five long-term partnerships.
• Tri-County ESC $7,467 (Lower Northeast Region)
  • Support schools, families, and communities by providing Youth Mental Health First Aid and Restorative Practices to 16 school districts with evidence-based interventions aligned with school needs, particularly in reducing suspensions and improving access to mental health support.
  • Cover training costs and materials for first year implementation.
• Children’s Resource Center $9,360 (Northwest Region)
  • Provide 200 early childhood professionals with Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation – an evidenced-based program that supports healthy development of children. These funds will help fill the gap of the three remaining counties in the region not served with IECMHC.
• Ohio Domestic Violence Network $10,000 (Central Region)
  • Engage at least 200 service providers across domestic violence programs, healthcare, behavioral health, the justice system, crime victim services, and disability support agencies and increase awareness and knowledge of the trauma-brain injury connection and offer tools for better responses.
  • The plan includes training and technical assistance, conference presentations, public education events, and dissemination of best practices.
• Hancock County ADAMHS $10,000 (Northwest Region)
  • Provide training, books, and associated resources for the Northwest region’s annual trauma-informed care conference in partnership with the University of Findlay. Approximately 200 professionals will be trained by Dr. Catherine Pittman based on her book, Rewiring the Anxious Brain.
• Education Service Center of NE Ohio & ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County $10,000 (Northeast Region)
  • These funds will be used to establish a training plan for improved awareness, capacity, and workforce development for the provision of trauma-informed prevention services for youth-serving organizations.
• Love You to Life $9,990 (Southwest Ohio Region)
  • This money will help train 50 faith leaders across various denominations in trauma-informed skill building for congregations, along with follow-up technical assistance.
• Trauma-Informed Care Regional Collaboratives $44,400 (Statewide)
  • Silver Linings International, LLC will provide “Cultivating Emotional Intelligence” training for 300 leaders across the state.
  • Participants will receive four, two-hour group training sessions. This approach links staff well-being to improved client care, recognizing when leaders support their team through emotional intelligence, they reduce burnout and turnover, leading to more consistent, high-quality services.

Survey Opportunities: Ohio Youth BH Services Assessment: $25-$50 Stipends

The Prevention Action Alliance is working in collaboration with OhioMHAS, RecoveryOhio and Kent State University to identify the gaps and challenges in Ohio’s mental health system, especially for families with children ages 3 – 18. The Youth Behavioral Health Services Assessment Project is a statewide assessment to better understand how children and families in Ohio experience behavioral health services. The survey has two components – 1) a family survey component, and 2) a behavioral health provider survey component.

Family Survey: This survey is interested in exploring experiences families have accessing and receiving behavioral health services and learning what supports families need to improve and maintain their child’s/children’s behavioral health. Interviews will take place virtually and will last for 60 minutes. Participating families will be eligible to receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card stipend that will be provided to participating families. See the FAMILY SURVEY flyer for more information.

Provider Survey: The project is also seeking feedback from providers including information about barriers to providing services, gaps in services, needed support and services, and overall experiences working with families. Interviews will take place virtually and will last for 60 minutes. Participating providers will be eligible to receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card Stipend. See the PROVIDER SURVEY flyer for more information, including the stipend that will be provided to participating providers.

Please share this information with your clients and staff, as appropriate.

OhioMHAS Prevention Services Rule (5122-29-20) Proposed to be Rescinded

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) has released a proposal to eliminate the Prevention Services rule (5122-29-20).  After a review of Ohio’s prevention regulations and a discussion with the department, the intent of this rule rescission was to make prevention services easier to deliver by reducing the regulatory requirements while still promoting quality.  Director Cornyn was clear that Governor DeWine remains steadfastly committed to expanding prevention services and prevention funding. 

The current prevention services rule creates an unequal regulatory environment in that it exempts certain entities (i.e. health departments, schools, FCFCs, and certain faith-based entities) from the OhioMHAS certification, which permits ADAMHS Boards and the state to fund them.  The current rule was set to require prevention coalitions to have OhioMHAS certification by July 1, 2025, and the previous proposed rule was set to exempt coalitions (Boards) from OhioMHAS certification.  This would have meant only community MH and community SUD providers would be required to have national accreditation and state certification to provide and be paid for prevention services.    

Removing this rule serves to create a level playing field for prevention services.  Other sections of the Ohio Revised Code remain and fully support prevention services. 

The Ohio Council understands there is concern that rescinding this rule may jeopardize commitment to prevention services or funding for prevention.  However, prevention is mandated in ORC 340.032 as a required element in the continuum of care that ADAMHS Board must plan for, and fund, to the degree funding is available.  Under ORC 340.036, ADAMHS Boards may contract with entities for service and must contract with OhioMHAS certified entities if OhioMHAS certification exists. Rescinding this prevention rule, which created exemptions to certification and therefore funding without certification, only creates a clear and level playing field.

Further, OhioMHAS has included language in HB 96, the SFY 26-27 state operating budget, (Section 337.20) pending before the Ohio General Assembly, that provides funding for a prevention state block grant and includes language that requires use of evidence-based or evidence-informed preventions services as a condition of receiving funds through an ADAMHS Board which is consistent with the existing rule. All these statutory provisions preserve prevention services across the system and ensure a continued focus on the quality of prevention services.

The Ohio Council’s CSI prevention services rule comments are included for your reference. 

Medicaid Incident Management Requirements Proposed Rule Changes (5160-44-05)

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has introduced a new draft rule, OAC 5160-44-05, to establish consistent incident management requirements across Medicaid programs, including OhioRISE, managed care, home and community-based services (HCBS), and the Specialized Recovery Services (SRS) program. The rule outlines expectations for documenting, reporting, and responding to incidents that may negatively affect a Medicaid recipient’s health or welfare.

The Ohio Council submitted comments submitted during the public comment period, which was open from May 3 to May 16, 2025, which raised concerns about the broad application of HCBS waiver-based requirements. Applying these standards across the general Medicaid population could create regulatory confusion, increase administrative burden, and duplicate existing reporting practices. Several definitions, such as restraint, seclusion, and restrictive intervention, differ from current behavioral health regulations and may lead to compliance conflicts. Additional concerns were noted about classifying clinically appropriate safety supports as reportable incidents.

Recommendations focused on aligning key definitions with OhioMHAS rules, limiting reporting requirements to clinically significant events, and tailoring the rule’s application to populations at higher risk. Standardizing thresholds, timelines, and terminology across programs would help improve clarity, reduce duplication, and support provider compliance.

The Ohio Council will continue to monitor the rulemaking process and keep members informed as developments occur.

Medicaid Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Rules Proposed (5160-34)

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has proposed OAC Chapter 5160-34 that provide Medicaid coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. This rule defines narrowly provider qualifications, establish documentation and service standards, and outline procedures for assessment, treatment planning, and supervision, particularly for children and youth with autism.

The Ohio Council submitted comments during the public comment period, which was open from May 13 to May 20, 2025. The comments identified several provisions that could limit service availability and create administrative barriers. The draft rules exclude community behavioral health centers (CBHCs) as eligible providers and impose credentialing requirements that exceed current licensure laws. These provisions may disqualify experienced professionals already permitted to deliver services. Prior authorization requirements and rigid diagnostic pathways may further delay care or reduce flexibility in responding to clinical needs.

Recommendations included adding CBHCs as eligible providers, recognizing clinical competency under existing licensure and training standards, and easing restrictions on when and how treatment may begin. Additional suggestions focused on improving alignment with parity laws, allowing for a range of service settings, and reducing unnecessary administrative steps that could hinder timely access to care.

The Ohio Council will continue to monitor the rulemaking process and provide updates to members as additional information becomes available.

Medicaid School Program (MSP) Proposed Rule Changes (5160-35-02, 05, & 06)

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has proposed amendments to OAC Rules 5160-35-02, 5160-35-05, and 5160-35-06 related to the Medicaid School Program (MSP). These updates are intended to expand access to school-based physical and behavioral health services, broaden the scope of eligible providers, and update documentation and reimbursement requirements.

The Ohio Council submitted comments during the public comment period, which was open from May 13 to May 20, 2025. While supportive of efforts to expand access, the comments raised concerns about inconsistencies in oversight, data privacy, and the potential impact on existing provider partnerships. Recommendations focused on aligning documentation and coordination requirements with current Medicaid behavioral health standards, strengthening supervision expectations for school-based practitioners, and clarifying how new services should integrate with existing community-based partnerships.

The Ohio Council will continue to monitor the rulemaking process and provide updates to members as additional information becomes available.

State Plan on Aging (SPOA) to Hold Listening Sessions

Throughout June 2025, the Ohio Department of Aging will be hosting community listening sessions to learn from the experiences of older adults and caregivers across Ohio. These sessions will be facilitated by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio and will be hosted in six Ohio communities: 

• Trotwood (Montgomery County)
• Waverly (Pike County)
• Youngstown (Mahoning County)
• Marietta (Washington County)
• Maumee (Lucas County) flyer coming soon 
• Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) flyer coming soon 

Please see the above linked recruitment flyers for the SPOA community listening sessions and share with your networks. There is both a print version and web version of each flyer attached. Registration is limited at each event to create an environment conducive to conversation. Lunch or refreshments, as well as gift cards, will be provided to participants. We look forward to hearing from the diverse perspectives of older Ohioans and their caregivers. 

Ohio Medicaid Matters: Share Your Story

Ohio lawmakers are currently working on a budget that could result in 770,000 Ohioans losing coverage through Medicaid. This would be devastating to hundreds of thousands of our neighbors across the state.

The Ohio Medicaid Matters Coalition needs your help to make sure the public, the news, and lawmakers in Columbus and Washington understand what this could mean for Ohioans. That’s why we are asking you to share your story. 

If you or someone you love has healthcare coverage through Medicaid, we want to hear from you about: 

• How Medicaid has helped you or your family; and
• What losing healthcare coverage through Medicaid would mean for you, your family, your health, and your future.

Real stories make a real difference; they inspire change, influence leaders, and show why this program is vital. Together, we can make sure Ohio’s leaders hear from the people about why Medicaid matters to millions of Ohioans. By sharing your story, you are helping fight to maintain healthcare coverage for more than 770,000 Ohioans.

Share your Medicaid story HERE.

Next Generation MyCare Program Update

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) shared an update on the Next Generation MyCare program. MyCare Ohio is a managed care program designed for Ohioans who receive BOTH Medicaid and Medicare benefits. The slides and a recording are available.  

To allow for a smooth transition, ODM will roll out the Next Generation MyCare program in two phases, beginning with each of the 29 counties where MyCare Ohio is currently available. Statewide expansion of the MyCare program will follow as quickly as possible. This phased timeline allows ODM to partner with all stakeholders to prepare for the program expansion and provide members as little disruption as possible.

The plans starting in 2026 are Anthem, Buckeye, CareSource, and Molina. The phased timeline is organized around the AAA regions. See below for the full roll out approach:

Phase 1: Current MyCare Counties (January 1, 2026) 

On January 1, 2026, ODM will roll out the Next Generation MyCare program in each of the 29 counties where MyCare is currently available today. These counties have been a part of the MyCare Ohio program since 2015. This understanding of today’s program lowers the effort needed for transition.  

January 1, 2026: 

• AAA Region 1: Butler, Warren, Clinton, Hamilton, Clermont
• AAA Region 2: Montgomery, Clark, Greene
• AAA Region 6: Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison, Pickaway
• AAA Region 4: Lucas, Fulton, Ottawa, Wood
• AAA Region 10a: Lorain, Cuyahoga, Medina, Lake, Geauga 
• AAA Region 10b: Summit, Portage, Stark, Wayne
• AAA Region 11: Columbiana, Mahoning, Trumbull

Phase 2: Remaining MyCare Counties (April 1, 2026 – Onward) 

During Phase two, starting on April 1, 2026, and continuing through the year, ODM will roll out the Next Generation MyCare program in the remaining counties. On April 1, the below counties will be integrated into the Next Generation MyCare program. This approach allows all currently participating AAA regions that currently have experience in the MyCare Ohio program to bring the counties without MyCare today into the program, except for AAA region 2. Today, Catholic Social Services operates as the PASSPORT Agency Administrator in the non-MyCare Counties within AAA region 2, so additional time is needed for these counties.  

April 1, 2026: 

• AAA Region 4: Sandusky, Erie, Henry, Williams, Defiance, Paulding
• AAA Region 6: Fayette, Fairfield, Licking
• AAA Region 11: Ashtabula

The remaining counties without MyCare will join the Next Generation MyCare program beginning May 1, 2026, to allow us necessary time to prepare AAA regions to deliver a personalized care experience for all members.  

May 1, 2026: 

• AAA Region 2: Preble, Darke, Miami, Shelby, Champaign, Logan
• AAA Region 3: Van Wert, Putnam, Hancock, Allen, Mercer, Auglaize, Hardin
• AAA Region 5: Seneca, Huron, Wyandot, Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Marion, Morrow, Knox

June 1, 2026 

• AAA Region 7: Ross, Vinton, Highland, Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Brown, Adams, Scioto, Lawrence

July 1, 2026 

• AAA Region 9: Holmes, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Jefferson, Coshocton, Harrison, Belmont, Guernsey, Muskingum

August 1, 2026 

• AAA Region 8: Hocking, Perry, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Washington, Athens, Meigs

ODM will continue to provide periodic updates throughout the transition period about changes expected and detailed instructions and resources to help take any actions needed prior to implementation of the Next Generation MyCare plans.

Updates and resources on the MyCare Ohio program and available on the ODM website and the MyCare FAQ. Questions or comments related to the MyCare Ohio program can be sent to [email protected]

OhioMHAS Capital Plan Requests for FY 2027-FY2032

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) has notified ADAMHS Boards that they are accepting Community Capital Plan Requests for FY 2027 – FY2032. 

ADAMHS Boards are expected to work with their community partners to develop capital requests.  All requests and completed capital project worksheets must be returned to OhioMHAS by Monday, June 30, 2025.  Please review the attached communications and reach out to your local ADAMHS Boards if you have projects you are interested in developing.

OhioMHAS Capital Planning Memo to ADAMHS Boards

FY27-28 Capital Project Worksheet

FY29-30 Capital Project Worksheet

FY31-32 Capital Project Worksheet

CMS Launches Revised Innovation Center MAHA Strategy

The CMS Innovation Center, formerly known as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation or CMMI, has launched a new strategy to “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) and “protect federal taxpayers” as CMS continues to explore and approve alternative payment models in both Medicare and Medicaid. The strategy focuses on three (3) pillars:

1. Promote evidence-based prevention. Prevention will be part of every model; interventions will closely monitor to ensure they are on the path to certification for expansion, contributing to a broader disease prevention, health promotion, and reduced overall costs. Under the MAHA framework, primary prevention focuses on good nutrition, secondary prevention is screening for chronic diseases early and often, and tertiary prevention is akin to chronic disease management.
2. Empower people to achieve their health goals. The Center will increase patient access to information and tools for disease management and healthy living and align financial incentives with health.
3. Drive choice with competition. The Center will reduce administrative burden and increase independent provider participation in models, giving patients more options for care at a lower cost.

The Innovation Center will continue to evolve and design new Original Medicare models by leveraging payment and regulatory flexibilities, such as waivers, benefit enhancements and benefit enhancement incentives. Additionally, CMS will expand work to test improvements in Medicare Advantage (MA), drive better spending and outcomes for prescription drugs, and promote efficiency through devices and technology, while continuing to work with states to drive multi-payer approaches to state-level delivery system transformation via existing and new model concepts. 

Also key to this effort under “protecting federal taxpayers” is aligning existing models and initiatives with the strategic objectives will shift financial risk from taxpayers. The work described in the three pillars has potential drive savings based on health promotion and relies less on expensive models of care. CMS  will also ensure protection of the taxpayer through key additional features. Model reviews and new model designs could:

• Require that all alternative payment models involve downside risk and that a growing proportion of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are in global downside risk arrangements
• Require that providers bear some of the financial risk and that conveners cannot hold all financial risk
• Reduce the role of state government in rate setting for health care services
• Refine and simplify model benchmarking methodology
• Ensure funds reach those most in need through proper and non-discriminatory provision of funds for health care services
• Prioritize high-value care and services and incentivize reductions of unnecessary utilization
• Ensure all model tests are fiscally sound with a pathway to certification

For more information, read CMS’ white paper: CMS Innovation Center’s Strategy to Make America Healthy Again

Additional Information:

• Making America Healthy Again: Innovation for Healthier Lives blog
• Strategic Direction webpage

MAHA Report on Child Health Released

The Make America Healthy Again Commission on May 22 released its anticipated report on the health of America’s children, largely focusing on ultra-processed foods, chemical exposure and overuse of medication as underlying causes of chronic childhood illness. Among the “Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment” charges, it cited a 1,400% increase in antidepressant prescriptions for American adolescents between 1987 and 2014. The assessment found four potential drivers behind the rise in childhood chronic disease that present the clearest opportunities for progress as:

• Poor Diet: The American diet has shifted dramatically toward ultra-processed foods (UPFs), leading to nutrient depletion, increased caloric intake, and exposure to harmful additives. Nearly 70% of children’s calories now come from UPFs, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
• Aggregation of Environmental Chemicals: Children are exposed to an increasing number of synthetic chemicals, some of which have been linked to developmental issues and chronic disease. The current regulatory framework should be continually evaluated to ensure that chemicals and other exposures do not interact together to pose a threat to the health of our children.
• Lack of Physical Activity and Chronic Stress: American children are experiencing unprecedented levels of inactivity, screen use, sleep deprivation, and chronic stress. These 5 factors significantly contribute to the rise in chronic diseases and mental health challenges.
• Overmedicalization: There is a concerning trend of overprescribing medications to children, often driven by conflicts of interest in medical research, regulation, and practice. This has led to unnecessary treatments and long-term health risks.

Under the leadership of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the commission now has roughly 80 days to craft a government strategy to respond to the findings.

Federal Regulators Announce Non-Enforcement of the 2024 Rule for Mental Health Parity

On May 9, 2025, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury (collectively, “the Departments”) asked the D.C. federal court to suspend litigation while they consider whether to rescind or modify the 2024 Rule implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). As part of the request, the Departments indicated that they will suspend enforcement of the 2024 Rule.

The 2024 Rule was issued to implement revisions to the MHPAEA statute that were passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (“CAA”) to add specific requirements for the development and enforcement of comparative analyses for non-quantitative treatment limits (“NQTLs”). The Departments’ enforcement suspension was announced as a part of a motion to hold in abeyance a legal challenge to the statutory basis for the 2024 Rule that was filed by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) on January 17, 2025.

Specifically, the motion provides that the parties have agreed to the Departments’ request to stay the litigation while the Departments suspend enforcement of the 2024 Rule and “reconsider the 2024 Rule…including whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the regulation.” The Departments specifically propose to “(1) issue a non-enforcement policy in the near future covering the portions of the 2024 Rule that are applicable for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026, and (2) reexamine the Departments’ current MHPAEA enforcement program more broadly.” The Departments also propose to provide quarterly status reports to the court on progress, starting on or before August 7, 2025. The motion also indicates that ERIC consented to the Department filing the motion, subject to ERIC’s “right to resume litigation at any time if necessary.

Importantly, this enforcement relief does not modify the provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA of 2021) that the regulations were meant to implement, nor does it cease current enforcement activities related to the MHPAEA, or invalidate previous guidance issued by the Departments related to mental health parity. Rather, it only applies to the 2024 Final Rule that implemented new regulatory requirements.

Congressional Budget Update

On May 22nd, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, by a vote of 215-214-1. The House moved the bill to the floor for a vote before the full chamber following a nearly 24-hour markup in the Rules Committee. The final House vote comes after a week of intense negotiations between fiscal hard-liners and blue state Republicans seeking changes to portions of the bill impacting Medicaid, the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limit and energy credits, among other provisions. House Republicans made changes to the bill prior to the Rules Committee markup and passed a manager’s amendment before moving the bill to the floor. Notably, the House did not vote to reduce the federal FMAP, impose per capita caps or block grants on Medicaid expansion states.

Our partners at The National Council for Mental Wellbeing provided a summary of key changes related to Medicaid below, which included:

• Creating exemptions for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorder conditions to the cost-sharing requirements for Medicaid enrollees. Such individuals will not be required to participate in cost-sharing, nor will they be required to comply with the bill’s work/community engagement provisions, though many of the details concerning both exemptions will be determined at the state level.
• Moving up the start date for work/community engagement requirements, from the originally planned Jan. 1, 2029, to Dec. 31, 2026 (or earlier, if individual states elect to accelerate their own timeline).
• Reducing the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage from 90% to 80% for the expansion population in states that provide Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage to certain lawfully residing children and pregnant women (current estimates suggest this will impact 33 states and Washington, D.C.).
• Increasing the cap on state-directed payments for non-expansion states to 110% of the Medicare rate for a given service, while grandfathering in existing payments above that rate in those states. The 100% cap for new state-directed payments in expansion states remains unchanged.

Opportunities for Advocacy:

After the resolution’s passage, Senators from both parties expressed strong concerns with the measure and indicated major changes would be made. The bill now moves to the Senate, where significant changes are expected. Several senators on both sides of the aisle have expressed strong concerns with the House version’s impact on Medicaid.

• Now is the time to make your voice heard and continue to contact your Senators to urge them to change the bill’s Medicaid-related provisions.
• Now is the time to call their offices and express concerns over the House bill’s Medicaid cuts.
• Ask your lawmaker for an in-person or virtual meeting. Most offices have a website form you can fill out to request a meeting (example here). You can also customize the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s “requesting a meeting” template within our Advocacy Handbook.

The Ohio Council will continue to keep partners appraised of new developments in the reconciliation process as the bill moves to the upper chamber.

Federal Policy & Legislation

• Congressional Budget Update
• Senator Husted Announces Opening of 4 Ohio Offices
• Senator Moreno Announces Opening of 3 Ohio Offices
• Dr. Oz Confirmed as CMS Director
• CMS Accepting Comments on Inpatient Hospital, Whole-Person Care Rules

State Policy & Legislation

• Ohio Medicaid Matters Coalition
• Medicaid in Ohio Fact Sheets
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Advocacy Whitepaper
• Ohio Plan for Statewide Expansion of MRSS Released
• Upcoming Multi-Factor Authentication for PNM
• Next Generation MyCare Ohio Update
• Ohio's Single Pharmacy Benefits Management Program Yields $333M in Savings
• OhioMHAS Announces BH Workforce Mini-Grants
• RecoveryOhio Announces New Director
• SB 138 Governing ADAMHS Boards Moves Forward
• Ohio Council Legislative Update

Reports & Resources 

• May is Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkits
• Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center Releases Strategic Report
• OSU Study on Firearm-Suicide Prevention Among Women
• OhioMHAS Releases Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fact Sheets
• AI Screening for OUD Associated with Fewer Hospital Readmissions
• Legal Action Center Publishes Guide for SUD Tx Providers for Responding to Immigration Enforcement
• HHS Report Highlights Progress Toward Unified Health Data Exchange
• "Zero Suicide Model" Results in Decreased Suicide Attempts
• Trends in MH Diagnosis Among Publicly Insured Children
• New Ohio Fact Sheet re: School Based Health Centers & Nurse Partnerships
• New Analysis Finds that Universal PreK would Boost Ohio's Economy
• Understanding Adult ADHD Diagnoses
• Prescription Stimulant Misuse Affects About 1-in-4 Users
• RFA Due May 2nd: Older Adult Substance Misuse Prevention
• Ohio Council 2024 Salary Survey Report is Available Now

Training & Events

• Now Easier to Navigate - Browse Our Enhanced Events Calendar!
• 42 CFR Part 8 Training Video Series
• Train the Trainer Opportunity: Impaired Marijuana Driving Training
• Free NOVA Crisis Response Team Trainings & Certification Series
• Ohio SUD COE Training Series
• OCAM 2024 Prevention Education Series
• OSPF Suicide Prevention Agency Trainings
• OhioKAN Adoption Competency Training
• Creating a System of Safety: Advancing Suicide Prevention in Primary Care Settings
• Peer Recovery Supporter Trainings
• Workforce Wellness Professional Development Series

Creating a System of Safety: Advancing Suicide Prevention in Primary Care Settings

The ASPIRES Center (https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/sites/aspires) in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is excited to announce an upcoming FREE webinar series.

Date: Wednesday June 11, 2025

Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Speaker: Edwin D. Boudreaux, PhD

Title: Creating a System of Safety: Advancing Suicide Prevention in Primary Care Settings

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98004296101

This session is eligible for 1.0 Category 1 CME credit, 1.0 ANCC credit, 1.0 ASWB credit, 1.0 AAPA credit, 1.0 CMFT credit, and 1.0 APA credit upon completion of the CloudCME evaluation.