Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy | Program on Medicaid and Uninsured | Senior Research Manager @KFFhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lwym247t3c2yNew @kff.org brief about the intersections of homelessness, mental illness, and shortages of inpatient and specialized outpatient treatment. Read more: https://www.kff.org/mental-health/a-look-at-the-new-executive-order-and-the-intersection-of-homelessness-and-mental-illness/22 Aug 2025 13:51 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwym247t3c2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3ltzue4zjfc2lNEW @kff.org, 988: On its three-year anniversary, 988 continues to grow, exceeding half a million contacts monthly. Suicide deaths held steady from 2022 to 2023—too soon to know 988's impact, but this marks a break from prior upward trends. See more: https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/demand-for-988-continues-to-grow-at-third-anniversary/15 Jul 2025 21:37 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3ltzue4zjfc2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3ltzue4zjfc2lNEW @kff.org, 988: On its three-year anniversary, 988 continues to grow, exceeding half a million contacts monthly. Suicide deaths held steady from 2022 to 2023—too soon to know 988's impact, but this marks a break from prior upward trends. See more: https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/demand-for-988-continues-to-grow-at-third-anniversary/15 Jul 2025 21:37 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3ltzue4zjfc2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lsyappgzjk2bNEW RURAL BRIEF @kff.org : Senate reconciliation bill would cut federal Medicaid funding in rural areas by $155B—$36B more than the House bill. https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/how-might-federal-medicaid-cuts-in-the-senate-passed-reconciliation-bill-affect-rural-areas/02 Jul 2025 12:47 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsyappgzjk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lsyakgrlqs2uNEW RURAL BRIEF @KFF: Senate reconciliation bill would cut federal Medicaid funding in rural areas by $155B—$36B more than the House bill. https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/how-might-federal-medicaid-cuts-in-the-senate-passed-reconciliation-bill-affect-rural-areas/02 Jul 2025 12:44 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsyakgrlqs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lsmabeliv22yNEW @kff.org: House reconciliation bill could reduce Medicaid spending in rural areas by $119B over 10 yrs. Over half of the reductions would be in 12 states with large rural populations and expanded Medicaid: KY, NC, OH, IL, VA, MI, NY, WA, PA, OK, LA and AR. See: https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/how-might-the-reconciliation-bills-medicaid-cuts-affect-rural-areas/27 Jun 2025 18:07 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsmabeliv22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lsekgkbins2hNEW @KFF Brief – Medicaid Work & Reporting Requirements (MH/SUD)--Currently, no mandatory flexibility for temporary crises (e.g., acute mental health episodes). Those briefly falling short of hours may lose coverage at renewal or denial at application. See: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/implications-of-medicaid-work-and-reporting-requirements-for-adults-with-mental-health-or-substance-use-disorders/24 Jun 2025 16:48 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsekgkbins2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lsejp7q7ms2hNew @KFF explainer on proposed work requirements: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/a-closer-look-at-the-medicaid-work-requirement-provisions-in-the-big-beautiful-bill/24 Jun 2025 16:35 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsejp7q7ms2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lsejgt6ljs2hNEW @KFF Brief – Medicaid Work/Reporting & MH/SUD: Expansion adults would be subject to work or securing exemption. Data limitations mean exemptions are unlikely to be fully automated, requiring self-reporting--key challenge seen previously. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/implications-of-medicaid-work-and-reporting-requirements-for-adults-with-mental-health-or-substance-use-disorders/24 Jun 2025 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsejgt6ljs2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lpc6t4vnlc2oNEW: Recent federal proposals may affect Medicaid coverage and treatment access at a time when opioid deaths are declining but future trends are uncertain See @kff.org Quick Take: www.kff.org/quick-take/o...16 May 2025 13:59 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpc6t4vnlc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lpc6qqnepk2oNEW: Recent federal proposals may affect Medicaid coverage and treatment access at a time when opioid deaths are declining but future trends are uncertain See @kff.org Quick Take: www.kff.org/quick-take/o...16 May 2025 13:58 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpc6qqnepk2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lp5p32fjd22dNEW: As opioid deaths begin trending down, proposed Medicaid cuts could interrupt care. Data show that Medicaid is key in the opioid response—covering 47% of all adults w/OUD, 56% of those receiving medication, and 64% receiving outpatient care. See @kff.org brief: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/implications-of-potential-federal-medicaid-reductions-for-addressing-the-opioid-epidemic/14 May 2025 19:07 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp5p32fjd22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/heathersaunders.bsky.social/post/3lmk2vlejvk2lThree in four adults enrolled in Medicaid have one or more chronic conditions. See new @kff.org brief with state and national numbers and condition breakouts-- https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/5-key-facts-about-medicaid-coverage-for-adults-with-chronic-conditions/11 Apr 2025 12:55 +0000at://did:plc:khfbt3f6mtpg3foshvix5oq3/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmk2vlejvk2l