HHS and VA Solidify Plan to Accelerate Psychedelic Treatments for Veterans

The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Veterans Affairs (VA) have entered into a memorandum of understanding to coordinate actions toward advancing psychedelic treatments for veterans with serious mental health diagnoses. It marks the first advancement of President Donald Trump’s executive order to accelerate FDA approvals of psychedelic medications for this purpose. The two departments will work in tandem to initiate workforce training, support research and proactively prepare clinical protocols and procedures to implement psychedelic-assisted treatment upon any that are granted FDA approval. The effort also aims to increase the participation of veterans in clinical research for promising mental health treatments.  While this is the first signal of action toward advancing President Trump’s executive order, it is hardly the first signal of broad government interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health conditions. In May, just a month after Trump signed the executive order to accelerate research, development and FDA approval of these possible mental health treatments, the VA launched a new clinical trial evaluating MDMA as a therapy for PTSD, alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder. But the VA also has at least 19 other active clinical trials that are exploring various psychedelic-assisted treatments for mental health.

AI-Assisted Grant Writing: Techniques for Behavioral Health Organizations - August 5

Psyrin is hosting a free online webinar on AI-supported grantwriting for CMHC and CCBHC executives and grantwriting teams, on August 5th, 1pm ET.

In this hands-on session, Dr. Edwin Wong draws on campaigns that have won $10M+ in competitive funding for Psyrin to demonstrate the workflows that turn everyday AI tools like Claude into a working grant office that delivers in days: teaching AI to write in your agency's voice, turning a NOFO/RFP into a compliance tracker in 90 seconds, and red-teaming your application with a mock review panel.

Built for CMHC and CCBHC executives and the teams who write their grants. No technical skills required.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register today.

The Ohio Council Welcomes New Provider Member, Transitions Behavioral Health

Transitions Behavioral Health in Cincinnati, OH. Amy Bailey, CEO can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (513) 832-2884. Transitions Behavioral Health provides Behavioral Health Services, Early Intervention, Community Support, Case Management, and Adult Day Treatment in Hamilton, Clermont, Butler, Warren and Montgomery counties. Click here to learn more about Transitions Behavioral Health!

Trump Administration Sued Over Medicaid Changes

Half of states are suing over new Medicaid eligibility requirements that advocates have warned will lead people with disabilities to lose coverage.

A coalition of officials from 25 states and Washington, D.C. filed a lawsuit last week challenging recently released rules for Medicaid work requirements.

Under the mandate, which most states must implement by the beginning of next year, many beneficiaries will need to prove that they are working, volunteering or going to school at least 80 hours per month in order to retain coverage.

In the lawsuit filed against CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the states allege that the Trump administration’s interim final rule is more restrictive than Congress intended.

Moreover, advocates fear that even those who should be untouched by work mandates could be unintentionally impacted by new paperwork requirements.