On Tuesday, congressional leaders released a $1.66 trillion omnibus funding bill designed to fund the federal government through fiscal year 2023 while also making historic investments in behavioral health. This legislation includes over $10 billion dedicated to behavioral health initiatives, marking a significant increase compared to the prior year. Of this total, $4.9 billion is earmarked for opioid abuse prevention and treatment, while $5.27 billion will fund mental health treatment, prevention, and research. Overall, these areas received a 12% funding increase, with mental health programs up 18% and opioid-related programs up 6%, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Experts say the bill demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing the mental health and substance use crises facing the nation. “The dramatic increase in spending for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that Congress is strongly supportive of efforts to abate the mental health and substance use crisis,” said Reyna Taylor, senior vice president of public policy for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW). This marks a key milestone in federal behavioral health funding 2023 efforts.
Increased Support for Opioid Abuse Prevention and Treatment
A central part of the legislation is the $4.9 billion allocated to combat opioid abuse. This funding supports programs that provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services, with a particular focus on medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT, which combines medications such as buprenorphine with counseling and behavioral therapies, is widely recognized as a gold-standard treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).
By increasing resources in this area, Congress hopes to expand access to evidence-based care, particularly in regions facing shortages of qualified providers. These measures highlight the growing attention paid to federal behavioral health funding 2023 as a tool for combating the opioid crisis and improving access to treatment.
Mental Health Funding Sees a Historic Increase
Mental health programs received $5.27 billion under the bill, an 18% increase from fiscal 2022. Funding will support treatment programs, community prevention strategies, and research into mental health conditions, particularly those affecting adolescents and young adults. This growth in support reflects recognition of the widespread mental health challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing societal stressors.
Investments in mental health research will help develop innovative treatment strategies and support interventions for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Expanding these programs is a central component of federal behavioral health funding 2023 priorities.
Telehealth Flexibilities for Medicare Beneficiaries
The omnibus bill extends telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries, allowing them to access behavioral health services via telehealth or audio-only modalities for two years after the public health emergency ends. The bill also delays the requirement for an annual in-person appointment for telehealth users.
Telehealth has emerged as a critical tool for expanding access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas. By including these provisions, Congress ensures continued access to essential behavioral health care, making telehealth a key component of federal behavioral health funding 2023 initiatives.
Ryan Haight Act and Virtual MAT
While the bill does not change COVID-era prescribing regulations under the Ryan Haight Act, it directs the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to continue developing a special registration process for telehealth-based MAT. This process, originally mandated by the 2018 SUPPORT Act, has not yet been fully implemented, leaving uncertainty for providers offering virtual MAT.
Kyle Zebley, senior vice president of public policy for the American Telemedicine Association, said, “The hard work continues, as we persist in pressing telehealth permanency and creating a lasting roadblock to the ‘telehealth cliff.’” Expanding virtual MAT access remains an important component of federal behavioral health funding 2023 priorities.
Eliminating the X-Waiver to Expand MAT Access
The bill eliminates the X-waiver, the special DEA certification required for prescribing buprenorphine, while requiring prescribers to complete an 8-hour training on addiction treatment during DEA registration or renewal. This change is expected to expand access to MAT for OUD, helping address overdose risks, particularly in communities heavily impacted by fentanyl.
Advocates argue that removing barriers to prescribing buprenorphine will save lives, while opponents stress the need for careful training and oversight. Shawn Coughlin, president and CEO of the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, emphasized the importance of baseline training for prescribers entering this field.
This provision is a significant milestone in federal behavioral health funding 2023, as it directly removes obstacles to delivering evidence-based opioid treatment.
Behavioral Health Workforce Development
Fiscal 2023 also brings substantial investments in the behavioral health workforce, with at least $197 million allocated to programs including the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program and graduate education initiatives for mental and behavioral health professionals—a 22% increase over fiscal 2022.
Funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is up 33% to $125.6 million. While the NHSC is not exclusive to behavioral health, roughly 41% of its participants in fiscal 2022, or about 10,000 professionals, worked in mental health. By bolstering the workforce, Congress aims to meet growing demand and ensure care access, making workforce initiatives another focus of federal behavioral health funding 2023.
Implications for Behavioral Health Care in the U.S.
The omnibus bill represents a landmark commitment to U.S. behavioral health. By increasing funding for mental health and substance use programs, expanding telehealth access, removing MAT barriers, and strengthening the workforce, Congress is taking steps to address the ongoing public health crises in mental health and substance use.
For providers, patients, and policymakers, these measures signal hope for improved access to care, more comprehensive treatment options, and a stronger framework for public health. The investments outlined in federal behavioral health funding 2023 are likely to have lasting impacts on treatment delivery and access across the country.
