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PARTNER NEWS
Chief Behavioral Health Officer Update
The Office of Medicaid Innovation has scheduled a virtual Town Hall with Chief Behavioral Health Officer Dr. Burnett-Zeigler on June 4, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Dr. Burnett-Zeigler and other state agency leaders will discuss strategic priorities for behavioral health in Illinois and are seeking input from residents through a statewide survey. Register here.
Behavioral Health Crisis Hub
The Behavioral Health Crisis Hub at the University of Illinois Chicago is pleased to invite ACMHAI members to attend a series of three virtual Forum sessions this June. The title of the forum is Moving Forward: Building a Stronger Crisis System in a New Era. The theme is Collaboration, Resilience and Innovation. The series will run for three consecutive Wednesday mornings –June 11, June 18, and June 25 from 9:00 AM to noon. This year’s Forum will feature National and Illinois speakers focusing on the state-of-the-state in behavioral health crisis services, innovations in the delivery of crisis continuum services including alternative response crisis models, mobile crisis response team models, and the use of technology and AI in the delivery of crisis services. Presentations will also be provided on innovations in collaboration between law enforcement, 911 public safety answering points (PSAPs), 988 crisis contact centers, behavioral health providers and emergency medical services providers. This is a great opportunity to learn what is going on across the nation as well as to hear about innovations within Illinois!
Click here to register and learn more!
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
On May 14, the House Energy & Commerce Committee approved a set of budget reconciliation proposals that include significant changes to the Medicaid program. The committee’s 30-24 vote, split along party lines, followed extensive discussion and debate.
Key provisions in the bill would introduce work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients, increase cost-sharing, place new restrictions on provider taxes and state-directed payments, and require more frequent eligibility checks. According to projections from the Congressional Budget Office, these measures could lead to approximately 7.6 million people losing Medicaid coverage by 2034. The reforms are also expected to contribute around $625 billion in Medicaid savings, helping to meet an overall budget reduction target of $880 billion.
The legislation now moves to the House Budget and Rules Committees for further consideration, with a full House vote possible as early as next week. Additional changes are anticipated as the bill moves through the Senate.
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