March 9, 2021
Highlights of the American Rescue Plan – Senate passed version (bill now goes back to House for a vote and then on to President Biden for signature)
- SAMHSA Block Grants: Provides $3 billion ($1.5 billion each) for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant and the Community Mental Health Services block grant.
- CCBHCs: Provides $420 million to SAMHSA to fund Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants.
- Provider Relief Funds: $8.5 billion in new money to the Provider Relief Fund for providers in rural areas and those serving rural communities.
- Medicaid Incentives
- Medicaid Expansion: For a two-year period, the bill provides a 5% increase in FMAP for states that have not already done so to expand Medicaid.
- Mobile Crisis: For a three-year period, the bill permits states to provide bundled payments for community-based mobile crisis intervention services at an 85% FMAP rate. Earlier versions provided this payment increase for a five-year period. This provisions also includes $15 million in planning grants to states to develop state plan amendments or 1115 waivers to implement.
- Home and Community-based Services: For one-year, the bill provides a 10% FMAP increase (subject to a 95% limit) for states to make improvements to Medicaid Home and Community-based Services (HCBS).
- Tribes: Provides a two-year extension of 100% FMAP to Urban Indian Health Organizations and Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems.
- Other MH/SUD Funding: Provides more than $450 million in additional funding for SAMHSA and HRSA programming including funding for mental health and addiction services, workforce education and training, suicide prevention and public education campaigns.