Policy Analysis

New proposed federal rules would strengthen enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which would mean better access to care in Oklahoma and beyond.

With rising rates of mental distress among children and youth, schools play an increasingly pivotal role in addressing students’ mental health needs. However, only 15% of the state's 509 school districts are billing Medicaid for school-based services, despite available funding.

All four of Healthy Minds' priority bills were approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor. This transformative package of legislation will greatly increase access to care and address critical shortages of behavioral health professionals.

Taking lessons from other states, Oklahoma providers and regulators can ensure continued positive outcomes from intensive mental health services like PACT during the state's transition to Medicaid managed care.

Our focus in 2023: improving access to care and growing Oklahoma's behavioral health workforce.

For the second regular session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature, mental health remained a unifying, bipartisan issue.

Oklahoma Gov. Stitt signed into law Healthy Minds’ top policy priority for the 2022 legislative session.

In 2022, legislators can continue prioritizing mental health as a vital issue to the well-being of all Oklahomans.

A year after Oklahoma enacted legislation calling for fair treatment of mental health consumers seeking care through their insurance plans, there remain few options for those who face barriers to care or potential violations of state and federal parity laws.

Oklahoma can begin to address its workforce shortages by fully funding and implementing a loan repayment program for behavioral health professionals.