Mary Ann Borgeson - Douglas County Commissioner

Grateful for it all *´¯`•.¸¸. ♥️

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I am joining the National Association of Counties in advocating for the Michelle Alyssa Go Act! The bill would raise the federal limit from 16 to 36 beds in mental health facilities eligible for Medicaid reimbursement, allowing counties to serve more residents in crisis and reducing strain to local systems. Join me in urging Congress to pass the Michelle Alyssa Go Act today.

SAMHSA released new guidance on how federal funds may be used for substance use programs.

Counties will need to reassess how local substance use prevention and response efforts are funded and delivered in light of new restrictions.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dxRYKD

Increasing the number of beds in mental health treatment facilities eligible for Medicaid reimbursement would empower counties to do more to help their residents.

As counties across the nation recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, NACo spoke to San Joaquin County, Calif., Supervisor Steven Ding about reforming the Medicaid IMD exclusion.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3Pu6A4y

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The Institution for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion is a federal Medicaid rule that prohibits funding for patients aged 21–64 receiving inpatient psychiatric or substance use disorder (SUD) care in facilities with more than 16 beds. This 1965 policy aims to prevent federal payment for long-term institutionalization but currently restricts access to acute, short-term care, causing treatment shortages and, for many, a "revolving door" of care.

The IMD exclusionary policy limits counties' health care capacity, perpetuating patient inequities and limiting access.