Capitol Connector Update from National Council for Behavioral Health

2015 HHS Appropriations On Hold After Subcommittee Markup Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over healthcare released its proposed fiscal year 2015 funding levels for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). While program-level detail is not yet available, the top-line numbers held few surprises for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Read More

Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Climbs by 6M vs. Pre-Health Reform Era Newly released data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicate that Medicaid enrollment continued to grow throughout April, beyond the March 31 end of the open enrollment period in state and federal health insurance exchanges. Because enrollment in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can occur year-round, enrollment under the programs continues to grow. The new data show roughly six million more Medicaid and CHIP enrollees as compared to the period immediately preceding the initial open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Read More National Council for Behavioral Health [communications@thenationalcouncil.org]