deep-divepolicymental-healthHHS Secures Insurer Pledge on Behavioral Health QualityDozens of insurers, medical societies, and providers signed a voluntary HHS pledge to raise standards for addiction and mental health care. The commitment arrives just as enforcement of the federal parity law — the one tool that legally compels equal coverage — sits frozen.August 3, 20268 min read
newsresearchmental-healthWhy Menopause Is Becoming a Critical Factor in Addiction Treatment—and Why Most Programs Ignore ItFederal health officials are warning that menopause may be an overlooked trigger for substance use disorders in women, with new research linking hormonal shifts to increased drinking and relapse risk.May 25, 20266 min read
newscrisismental-healthSAMHSA Awards $255 Million to 988 Crisis Lifeline—With New York-Based Administrator at the HelmThe 988 Lifeline has handled over 25 million crisis contacts since its 2022 launch. New federal funding will expand capacity as data shows 14.3 million adults had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year.May 18, 20264 min read
newsmental-healthtreatmentNew York Launches 10-Year Gambling Addiction Study as Betting Expands StatewideAs New York approves three new casino locations and mobile sports betting surges, the state is launching an unprecedented 10-year study to understand gambling addiction patterns and direct resources where they're needed most.April 30, 20266 min read
newsresearchtreatmentFeds Launch $139 Million Project to Transform Addiction Treatment—And It Could Change How New Yorkers Get CareA new federal initiative aims to end the trial-and-error approach to mental health and addiction treatment by developing objective, measurable biomarkers—potentially bringing faster relief to millions of Americans, including those in New York.April 22, 20266 min read
researchtobaccomental-healthWhy Smoking Keeps Getting Ignored in Addiction Treatment—and What a New Study RevealsA longitudinal study of nearly 5,000 mothers finds that poverty and mental health—not smoking itself—drive the link between cigarettes and food insecurity, highlighting systemic gaps in addiction treatment.April 18, 20266 min read
newscannabismental-healthNew York's Cannabis Treatment System Is Collapsing Just as Youth Need It MostAs New York legalizes adult cannabis use, the state's treatment infrastructure for young people struggling with marijuana addiction is shrinking. Admissions have fallen by half in eight years, emergency departments lack linkage programs, and pediatricians aren't trained to spot the problem.April 8, 20267 min read
policyinsurancefederalFederal Insurance Rule for Addiction Treatment Coverage Now Under Review—What It Means for New YorkersThe Justice Department announced Friday that three federal agencies will reconsider Biden-era rules guaranteeing equal insurance coverage for addiction and mental health treatment. The move suspends an ERISA lawsuit indefinitely and raises questions about federal enforcement—but New York's own parity protections remain in effect.April 1, 20268 min read
newsdeep-divefederalWhiplash at HHS: How Trump's $2 Billion Grant Cuts Threw New York's Addiction Treatment System Into Chaos—Then Reversed in 24 HoursIn January, the Trump administration sent termination letters to thousands of mental health and addiction programs nationwide. New York's safety net scrambled. Then, 24 hours later, the money came back. But the chaos didn't end there.March 20, 20268 min read
newsmental-healthfundingFederal Government Opens $69 Million in Mental Health Grants, Targets Suicide Prevention and Youth CareThe federal government is making $69 million available to healthcare systems, states, and community providers working on youth mental health, suicide prevention, and involuntary treatment programs.March 10, 20267 min read
newstreatmentmatNYC's Largest Hospital System Just Released Its Year-Two Addiction Treatment Report. Here's What Changed.The city's public hospital system expanded street outreach, emergency-based addiction treatment, and contingency management programs as part of its three-year Behavioral Health Blueprint.March 5, 20268 min read
fundingfederalsamhsaSAMHSA Sends $794 Million in Block Grants to States for Mental Health and AddictionThe federal government sent nearly $800 million to states and territories for addiction treatment and mental health services — the largest single block grant distribution of the year, covering everything from community clinics to substance abuse prevention.February 17, 20263 min read
