NAMI Applauds HHS for Removing Barriers to Treatment for People with Serious Mental Illness

Nov 6, 2019

Today, the federal government announced the approval of the first-of-its-kind Medicaid demonstration project that aims to broaden treatment services available to Medicaid beneficiaries with serious mental illness and serious emotional disturbance in the District of Columbia. 

Angela Kimball, Acting CEO of NAMI, stated, “Throughout our 40-year history, NAMI has fought for dignity, fairness, and equity for people with mental illness. The approval of this waiver eliminates a blatantly discriminatory policy that has hindered the development of a truly comprehensive mental health care system for individuals with serious mental illness. NAMI praises HHS for this landmark approval which we believe has the potential to significantly improve access to care for Americans with serious mental illness and their families. NAMI strongly urges other states to step up to the plate and use this flexibility to improve care for people with mental health conditions.”