New Funding Supports Pediatric Mental Health, Climate Change, Health Equity
HHS opens the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity as several government organizations boost funding for pediatric mental health.
Source: Getty Images
By - The Office of Climate Change and Health Equity opens under HHS, and several organizations including SAMHSA boost funding for pediatric mental healthcare. This week’s policy recap also highlights new administration guidelines for vaccinated Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries and supportive funding for Navigator programs.
Administration Issues Guidelines for Vaccinating Medicaid, CHIP Beneficiaries
CMS released new Medicaid and CHIP guidelines to advise states on best practices and resources to help beneficiaries get vaccinated. Under the guidelines, CMS notes the Medicaid and CHIP programs cover diagnostic and screening for COVID-19 in many different care settings including schools. The programs typically cover the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine, so eligible patients do not have to pay anything out of pocket. The guidelines also emphasize that many states are eligible for temporary increases in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage if they extend Medicaid coverage to specific individuals. These guidelines come as the administration continues to try to boost COVID-19 education, awareness, and vaccination. READ MORE
Funding Increased for Navigators Through 2024
After historic enrollment in the federal insurance exchange during Special Enrollment Period, CMS declared $80 million in Navigator grant funding. The grants will support Navigator organizations that help individuals traverse the health insurance marketplace and its respective plans. With the funding, 60 Navigator organizations will be able to hire approximately 1,500 Navigators for plan year 2022. READ MORE
HHS, SAMHSA Invest in Pediatric Mental Health
Under the American Rescue Plan, HHS awarded $10.7 million to states and regional networks to expand pediatric mental health care access through telehealth services. Teams who received funding from the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program will work to provide telehealth consults, training, technical assistance, and care coordination to pediatric primary care and other providers who treat and refer pediatric patients with mental health and substance use disorders. The increased funding expanded the programs reach from 21 awardees to 45 in 40 different states. READ MORE
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also awarded $74.2 million to programs that help strengthen pediatric mental health. The first set of funding was distributed to programs that raise awareness of mental health challenges for youths and train school personnel. The second set focuses on programs that coordinate treatment for youth with emotional disorders. In total, funding stretches across 17 states. READ MORE
HHS Opens Office of Climate Change and Health Equity
On August 30, HHS established the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) following President Biden’s Executive Order Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. The mission of the new office is to protect communities that disproportionately shoulder the burden of pollution and other climate-driven disasters like drought and wildfires. “We’ve always known that health is at the center of climate change, and now we’re going to double-down on a necessity: fighting climate change in order to help protect public health in our communities,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a press release about the office’s opening. READ MORE
