Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness
@abhworg.bsky.social
The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, the national voice for payers that manage behavioral health insurance benefits for over 200 million people.
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ABHW - Advancing Health Care Policy for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) is dedicated to advancing policy and raising awareness on mental health and substance use disorders.
abhw.org
ABHW is now on BlueSky! We’re excited to expand the conversation around behavioral health and wellness, elevate the importance of whole‑person care, and highlight the policies and partnerships shaping meaningful change.
Learn more about who we are at abhw.org.
Learn more about who we are at abhw.org.
In her new blog, ABHW's Kathryn Cohen argues for "parity and..." That means parity plus evidence-based care, measurable outcomes, qualified providers, and integrated whole-person care.
Read the full post: buff.ly/Fx3y6u8
Read the full post: buff.ly/Fx3y6u8
October 8, 2026 at 11:45 AM
In her new blog, ABHW's Kathryn Cohen argues for "parity and..." That means parity plus evidence-based care, measurable outcomes, qualified providers, and integrated whole-person care.
Read the full post: buff.ly/Fx3y6u8
Read the full post: buff.ly/Fx3y6u8
In a Frequently Asked Questions document released today, the U.S. DHHS OCR outlined Part 2 protections as they relate to Medicaid community engagement requirements for people with SUD.
See our press release here: buff.ly/pORNqm5
See our press release here: buff.ly/pORNqm5
STRENGTHENING CRITICAL PROTECTION FOR SENSITIVE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER INFORMATION IN 42 CFR PART 2 Essential clarifications in new FAQ
42 CFR Part 2 is a federal regulation that provides critical protection for sensitive health information, including treatment data for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. In an FAQ (Frequently…
abhw.org
September 29, 2026 at 7:49 PM
In a Frequently Asked Questions document released today, the U.S. DHHS OCR outlined Part 2 protections as they relate to Medicaid community engagement requirements for people with SUD.
See our press release here: buff.ly/pORNqm5
See our press release here: buff.ly/pORNqm5
📢‼️Now is a great time to start thinking about presenting at ABHW Policy Summit 2027. Topics should be related to mental health and/or substance use disorder policy. We are hoping for a wide range of subjects, perspectives, and innovative ideas.
Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
September 25, 2026 at 3:38 PM
📢‼️Now is a great time to start thinking about presenting at ABHW Policy Summit 2027. Topics should be related to mental health and/or substance use disorder policy. We are hoping for a wide range of subjects, perspectives, and innovative ideas.
Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
A crisis system cannot be built by any one stakeholder alone.
Our latest blog explores how behavioral health plans are helping strengthen mobile crisis response, real-time coordination, crisis stabilization capacity, and equitable access to care.
Read the blog: buff.ly/jkB8ie4
Our latest blog explores how behavioral health plans are helping strengthen mobile crisis response, real-time coordination, crisis stabilization capacity, and equitable access to care.
Read the blog: buff.ly/jkB8ie4
September 23, 2026 at 7:18 PM
A crisis system cannot be built by any one stakeholder alone.
Our latest blog explores how behavioral health plans are helping strengthen mobile crisis response, real-time coordination, crisis stabilization capacity, and equitable access to care.
Read the blog: buff.ly/jkB8ie4
Our latest blog explores how behavioral health plans are helping strengthen mobile crisis response, real-time coordination, crisis stabilization capacity, and equitable access to care.
Read the blog: buff.ly/jkB8ie4
In 2025, ABHW submitted recommendations to DOL, DHHS, & USDT outlining constructive steps to strengthen the mental health & substance use disorder parity compliance process to help ensure that parity rules are clear, workable, & achievable. Read the letter in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
September 2, 2026 at 12:45 PM
In 2025, ABHW submitted recommendations to DOL, DHHS, & USDT outlining constructive steps to strengthen the mental health & substance use disorder parity compliance process to help ensure that parity rules are clear, workable, & achievable. Read the letter in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
ABHW launched an expert series advancing prevention & family-centered behavioral health & delivered workable federal parity reform recommendations to strengthen oversight & compliance. Read how these initiatives are shaping the future of behavioral health in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
August 31, 2026 at 12:45 PM
ABHW launched an expert series advancing prevention & family-centered behavioral health & delivered workable federal parity reform recommendations to strengthen oversight & compliance. Read how these initiatives are shaping the future of behavioral health in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
✨️ Member Spotlight: In June, Kaiser Permanente announced a significant financial contribution towards expanding youth mental health work. The company has committed $10 million to expand the work of the Youth Mental Health Corps.
Read KP's full press release here: buff.ly/cBZjubL
Read KP's full press release here: buff.ly/cBZjubL
August 27, 2026 at 10:15 PM
✨️ Member Spotlight: In June, Kaiser Permanente announced a significant financial contribution towards expanding youth mental health work. The company has committed $10 million to expand the work of the Youth Mental Health Corps.
Read KP's full press release here: buff.ly/cBZjubL
Read KP's full press release here: buff.ly/cBZjubL
In her recent op-ed for the Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch, ABHW CEO Debbie Witchey explains why the focus should be on quality rather than arbitrary treatment limits: buff.ly/zNvJgOS
August 27, 2026 at 4:22 PM
In her recent op-ed for the Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch, ABHW CEO Debbie Witchey explains why the focus should be on quality rather than arbitrary treatment limits: buff.ly/zNvJgOS
In 2025, ABHW educated nearly all freshman congressional health staff on behavioral health, positioning our association as a trusted resource for new policymakers. Learn how this groundwork supports smarter policy decisions in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
August 24, 2026 at 12:45 PM
In 2025, ABHW educated nearly all freshman congressional health staff on behavioral health, positioning our association as a trusted resource for new policymakers. Learn how this groundwork supports smarter policy decisions in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
ABHW helped shape federal policy through 21 comment letters and 14 coalition efforts, ensuring behavioral health payers’ perspectives were heard on key issues. Get the details on this policy engagement in our 2025 Annual Report and download it here: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
August 17, 2026 at 12:45 PM
ABHW helped shape federal policy through 21 comment letters and 14 coalition efforts, ensuring behavioral health payers’ perspectives were heard on key issues. Get the details on this policy engagement in our 2025 Annual Report and download it here: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
Access to quality, evidence-based care for all is part of ABHW's mission. Read CEO Debbie Witchey's thoughts on how we can accomplish this in her latest blog, "Beyond Reimbursement: Policy Goals to Improve Medicaid Access to Behavioral Health," by following this link: buff.ly/JOESt8u.
Beyond Reimbursement: Policy Goals to Improve Medicaid Access to Behavioral Health
States have made meaningful investments in behavioral health by increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates. That progress deserves recognition. But if the goal is to improve access to care,…
abhw.org
August 14, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Access to quality, evidence-based care for all is part of ABHW's mission. Read CEO Debbie Witchey's thoughts on how we can accomplish this in her latest blog, "Beyond Reimbursement: Policy Goals to Improve Medicaid Access to Behavioral Health," by following this link: buff.ly/JOESt8u.
ABHW welcomes CMS’ new State Medicaid & CHIP Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Toolkit as an important step toward more consistent, accountable, and high-quality autism services. The toolkit reflects several recommendations ABHW shared with CMS.
Read ABHW’s full statement: buff.ly/uPa7Whn
Read ABHW’s full statement: buff.ly/uPa7Whn
August 12, 2026 at 1:32 PM
ABHW welcomes CMS’ new State Medicaid & CHIP Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Toolkit as an important step toward more consistent, accountable, and high-quality autism services. The toolkit reflects several recommendations ABHW shared with CMS.
Read ABHW’s full statement: buff.ly/uPa7Whn
Read ABHW’s full statement: buff.ly/uPa7Whn
PRESS RELEASE: ABHW COMMENTS ON MEDICAID COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: Advocating for Sustained Behavioral Health Coverage. Read the full release, and our comment letter, here: buff.ly/KrN4LzB
ABHW COMMENTS ON MEDICAID COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: Advocating for Sustained Behavioral Health Coverage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) today signed the National Behavioral Health Quality and Best Practices Pledge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human…
abhw.org
August 3, 2026 at 4:57 PM
PRESS RELEASE: ABHW COMMENTS ON MEDICAID COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: Advocating for Sustained Behavioral Health Coverage. Read the full release, and our comment letter, here: buff.ly/KrN4LzB
ABHW led national campaigns for Recovery Month, Suicide Prevention Month, 988 Day, and Mental Health Awareness Month across media, blogs, and social channels. See the breadth of this outreach in our 2025 Annual Report and download the full report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
August 3, 2026 at 12:45 PM
ABHW led national campaigns for Recovery Month, Suicide Prevention Month, 988 Day, and Mental Health Awareness Month across media, blogs, and social channels. See the breadth of this outreach in our 2025 Annual Report and download the full report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
ABHW today signed the National Behavioral Health Quality & Best Practices Pledge at the U.S. DHHS, joining organizations across the behavioral health community in a shared commitment to delivering quality mental health & substance use disorder care. Read our full press release here: buff.ly/GUrNSx4
ABHW JOINS EFFORT TO ADVANCE THE GREAT AMERICAN RECOVERY INITIATIVE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) today signed the National Behavioral Health Quality and Best Practices Pledge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human…
abhw.org
July 29, 2026 at 9:48 PM
ABHW today signed the National Behavioral Health Quality & Best Practices Pledge at the U.S. DHHS, joining organizations across the behavioral health community in a shared commitment to delivering quality mental health & substance use disorder care. Read our full press release here: buff.ly/GUrNSx4
In 2025, ABHW advanced Medicare policies that support behavioral health integration and collaborative care, including new tools for primary care teams. Discover how these changes strengthen whole-person care in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
July 27, 2026 at 12:45 PM
In 2025, ABHW advanced Medicare policies that support behavioral health integration and collaborative care, including new tools for primary care teams. Discover how these changes strengthen whole-person care in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
Read our full recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) & the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) regarding the Proposed Healthy People 2030 Objectives & Request for Information (RFI) on Screen Time to Inform Healthy People here: buff.ly/m8IMlBo
July 23, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Read our full recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) & the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) regarding the Proposed Healthy People 2030 Objectives & Request for Information (RFI) on Screen Time to Inform Healthy People here: buff.ly/m8IMlBo
ABHW successfully advocated for extending key tele prescribing flexibilities through 2026, helping protect access to medication-assisted treatment and other behavioral health medications. Read the full story of this policy win in our 2025 Annual Report and download it here: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
July 20, 2026 at 12:45 PM
ABHW successfully advocated for extending key tele prescribing flexibilities through 2026, helping protect access to medication-assisted treatment and other behavioral health medications. Read the full story of this policy win in our 2025 Annual Report and download it here: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
Through focused advocacy, ABHW influenced Medicaid Rural Health Transformation Fund plans to expand behavioral health services in rural communities. See how these efforts are improving access for rural populations in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
July 14, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Through focused advocacy, ABHW influenced Medicaid Rural Health Transformation Fund plans to expand behavioral health services in rural communities. See how these efforts are improving access for rural populations in our 2025 Annual Report: buff.ly/5VzXK3N
We've released comments on addiction as a chronic disease, including recommendations to HHS to focus on high-quality care.
Read our full comments here:
Read our full comments here:
ABHW COMMENTS ON ADDICTION AS CHRONIC DISEASE
The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) has provided recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in response to the Department’s Request for Comment on…
abhw.org
July 10, 2026 at 1:45 PM
We've released comments on addiction as a chronic disease, including recommendations to HHS to focus on high-quality care.
Read our full comments here:
Read our full comments here:
In 2025, ABHW helped drive expanded tele prescribing access for buprenorphine, making it easier for people with opioid use disorder to receive evidence-based treatment via telehealth.
Learn more about this achievement in our 2025 Annual Report and download your copy: buff.ly/9ghAu4L
Learn more about this achievement in our 2025 Annual Report and download your copy: buff.ly/9ghAu4L
June 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
In 2025, ABHW helped drive expanded tele prescribing access for buprenorphine, making it easier for people with opioid use disorder to receive evidence-based treatment via telehealth.
Learn more about this achievement in our 2025 Annual Report and download your copy: buff.ly/9ghAu4L
Learn more about this achievement in our 2025 Annual Report and download your copy: buff.ly/9ghAu4L
Unlock clearer, more connected care. Dive into ABHW’s new brief on interoperability and prior authorization for medications. Essential reading for anyone shaping behavioral health policy: buff.ly/ofyyEQE
June 25, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Unlock clearer, more connected care. Dive into ABHW’s new brief on interoperability and prior authorization for medications. Essential reading for anyone shaping behavioral health policy: buff.ly/ofyyEQE
The DEA’s new final rule on opioid use disorder treatment removes outdated barriers and expands access to evidence-based care. Learn what’s changing for providers, pharmacies, and patients in our latest blog: buff.ly/vXo6kTw #OUD #BehavioralHealth
Advancing SUD Treatment: DEA’s Final Rule on OUD Treatment
The landscape of medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) has shifted dramatically over the past few years. ABHW has long advocated for policies that expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid…
abhw.org
June 24, 2026 at 12:07 AM
The DEA’s new final rule on opioid use disorder treatment removes outdated barriers and expands access to evidence-based care. Learn what’s changing for providers, pharmacies, and patients in our latest blog: buff.ly/vXo6kTw #OUD #BehavioralHealth
Many people know June as Pride Month, but it is also Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, often simply called Men's Health Month. Millions of men experience mental health symptoms every year, but due to stigma and fear of judgment, they do not seek professional help. ➡️
June 19, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Many people know June as Pride Month, but it is also Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, often simply called Men's Health Month. Millions of men experience mental health symptoms every year, but due to stigma and fear of judgment, they do not seek professional help. ➡️
It's Pride Month! Many members of the LGBTQ+ community struggle with both mental health & substance use disorders. Pride is a time for celebration but it's also a time to explore actions we can take to make sure our friends, family members, & neighbors are around for all the celebrations to come.🌈 ✨️
June 18, 2026 at 12:15 PM
It's Pride Month! Many members of the LGBTQ+ community struggle with both mental health & substance use disorders. Pride is a time for celebration but it's also a time to explore actions we can take to make sure our friends, family members, & neighbors are around for all the celebrations to come.🌈 ✨️