The Challenge
Access to Care
Mental health conditions affect Texans of all ages. Each year, approximately one in five adult Texans experiences a mental health condition, including nearly 800,000 adults with a serious mental health illness. Among Texas youth, about 35 percent of children ages 6 to 17 – roughly 2 million – have a mental health need.
Policy Solutions
Policy Solutions to Improve Access
Private, freestanding behavioral health hospitals serve as the backbone of Texas’ inpatient behavioral health care system.
Increase Medicaid Rates
Click Here to Learn MorePrivate freestanding behavioral health hospitals play a critical role in the Texas Medicaid system. Yet 2007 was the last Medicaid increase for the hospitals.
Extend PHP and IOP Coverage to All Texans
Click Here to Learn MoreCommercial insurance and Medicare plans cover PHP and IOP. Extending the coverage as a Medicaid benefit would enhance our state's behavioral health system.
Address the IMD Exclusion
Click Here to Learn MoreThe IMD exclusion prevents adult Medicaid beneficiaries from fully accessing inpatient behavioral health care. The 2025 Texas Legislature can help.
Private Freestanding Behavioral Health Hospitals Are the State's Backbone for Inpatient Care
Click Here to Learn MoreTexas' 62 private freestanding behavioral health hospitals are the state's inpatient behavioral health safety net.
