On Tuesday, Congress passed a
$1.2 trillion spending package for fiscal year 2026 that maintained or increased funding for several key mental health agencies, including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The package includes authorization and funding for several of APA’s advocacy priorities, including telehealth flexibilities, supporting health equity, and more.
Why It’s Relevant
The package funds most of the federal government through September 30, with a continuing resolution that will give Congress two weeks to negotiate guardrails around funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
It’s a strong Congressional repudiation of
the Trump administration’s budget proposals, with Congress electing to disregard many of the administration’s broader cuts to health programs and its proposed restructuring of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and SAMHSA.
By the Numbers
- Overall funding: The package includes $116.6 billion in discretionary funds for the Department of Health and Human Services, a slight increase from fiscal year 2025.
- NIH increased to $48.7 billion
- NIMH increased to $2.2 billion
- SAMHSA increased to $7.4 billion
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)increased to $9.22 billion
- Integrated care/collaborative care: Funding for the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration program, one of APA’s signature issues, remained stable, while funding for technical assistance increased by $1 million to $3.99 million.
- Telehealth: Telehealth flexibilities—including waiving the requirement for Medicare patients to have an in-person visit within the past six months to begin telehealth— were extended for nearly two years, through December 31, 2027.
- Workforce development: Workforce programs received $1.4 billion in funding, including increases for HRSA’s Medical Student Education and Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education programs.
- Health equity: The package maintains funding for SAMHSA’s Minority Fellowship Program.
- Maternal health: Funding for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs aimed at preventing maternal deaths, such as the Maternal Mortality Review Committees, increased to $100 million for each fiscal year through 2030, up from $58 million.
Takeaway Message
In the current fiscal environment, particularly in the wake of a record-setting government shutdown, APA recognizes and appreciates Congress’ continued bipartisan investment in vital behavioral health initiatives.
What’s Next
The fiscal year 2027 appropriations cycle will quickly kick into full swing as members of Congress hope to avoid another protracted funding negotiation during midterm elections in November.
APA is asking all members to sign up for its
Advocacy Updates and Alerts to work together in the ongoing fight to support the many programs and funding that psychiatrists and patients need.
Related Information
(Image: Getty Images/iStock/Douglas Rissing)