The Trump administration secured voluntary commitments from the health care industry to offer better mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) services.

The details: Major health insurers and providers will pledge to a set of national principles, established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), focused on creating care protocols and ensuring timely access to MH/SUD care. The companies will pledge to “advance best practices” that:

• Support timely access to high-quality MH/SUD treatment
• Support evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and recovery support
• Measure care quality and outcomes
• Advance patient-centered, recovery-focused care that supports long-term wellness
• Support clinical expertise and individualized treatment decisions based on patient needs and the best available evidence
• Prioritize whole-person care, including addressing chronic conditions such as HIV and hepatitis C in tandem with behavioral health treatment

The bigger picture:

• Health policy experts criticize the approach of securing voluntary commitments from the health care industry, rather than regulating it. Voluntary commitments lack concrete oversight or accountability and can be reneged on without consequence, potentially leading to empty promises and no meaningful change.
• The 2008 parity law requires behavioral health services to be covered at the same level as other types of medical care, but enforcement has lagged. A 2024 federal rule strengthened coverage standards, but the administration has said it will not enforce the rules.

Read more: HHS secures pledges from major insurers to broaden behavioral, mental health care access; National Behavioral Health Quality and Best Practices Pledge; Event: The Health and Human Services Department