U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) will be reintroducing the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act (Excellence Act) next week. The bill would create the pathway to allow all states to pursue the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, which has proven to be an effective tool in curbing the overdose and suicide crises. The bill contains two very important components that will deliver more comprehensive care to individuals with behavioral health conditions, support providers, and engage the community to create a system of support and care.

• The bill allows ALL states to become CCBHC Medicaid demonstration states. This is critical for ensuring providers receive the necessary funding to implement a model of care that has been proven to work.
• The bill also authorizes and extends CCBHC grants that will allow clinics in Oklahoma that want to become CCBHCs to receive funding that will allow them to take important steps toward implementing the model. Expanding the CCBHC model of care to additional states will continue to demonstrate Oklahoma’s leadership.

According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) is a potential cosponsor of this important legislation. In the past, he has been a strong supporter of behavioral health. In order to advance and take full advantage of the CCBHC model, his support is needed to ensure the Excellence Act become law.

Mental health and addiction treatment providers are encouraged to contact Senator Inhofe’s office and ask him to cosponsor the act. If possible, please let him and his staff know the number and types of staff employed; the the number of clients served or engaged in Substance Use Disorder treatment; number of veterans and military serviced and any other relevant outcomes or success stories. 

For more information, contact Caitlin Wilson in Senator Blunt’s office at Caitlin_wilson@blunt.sentate.gov.

Click here to email Senator Inhofe.