Community Behavioral Healthcare Association

As the Illinois General Assembly concluded its spring legislative session last week, the Medicaid Omnibus included several important provisions that will help strengthen Illinois' behavioral health system. These changes support greater reimbursement stability and strengthen program integrity by promoting consistency, transparency, accountability, and oversight within managed care, while helping to preserve access to high-quality behavioral health services for individuals and families across our state.

CBHA extends its sincere gratitude to Representative Lindsey LaPointe, Leader Robyn Gabel for State Representative , Chair State Representative Anna Moeller, 43rd District, State Representative Jackie Haas, State Senator Laura Fine, and the members of the Medicaid Working Group for their leadership and dedication to policies that strengthen access to mental health and substance use disorder services for Illinoisans.

"Lawmakers on the final day of the General Assembly passed a bill to regulate how minors interact with social media and other online platforms to make them less addictive."

Illinois bill limits how social media companies can target feeds to children The measure passed with unanimous support in both chambers

As Mental Health Awareness Month winds down, we salute all of our professionals who provide whole-person care across the state.

Manoj Patel, MD, Associate Executive Director of Integrated Emergency Services, joined LSSI nearly three decades ago, and helped establish the Welcoming Center near Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Chicago, providing a calm, supportive space where individuals are assessed and referred to services outside the ER.

Patel believes LSSI’s strength lies in its ability to adapt while staying rooted in its core values of compassion, respect, service, impact, and excellence. Learn how our Welcoming Center can help https://bit.ly/40ToUHr

CBHA team members, Alyssa Mendez and Sharon Post, and members from Thresholds and Centerstone spent the day advocating for essential behavioral health investments and policy initiatives on Capitol Hill as part of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Annual Hill Day!

The group met with staff from Rep. Mike Quigley, Rep. Danny Davis, Rep. Robin Kelly, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s offices to urge support for continued funding for CCBHCs, Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services, and Crisis Stabilization, Community Reentry Grants, and more in FY27. Further, CBHA and its members advocated for federal legislative initiatives to bolster and strengthen the behavioral health workforce, address the substance use crisis, and improve upon access to comprehensive mental health and substance use care.

We thank all the offices for their continued engagement and partnership in ensuring Illinoisans receive the essential behavioral health care services they need!

"The budget totals $55.9 billion, supported by a similar amount of revenue. The spending plan included an $830 million supplemental current-year spending plan, meaning the upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget is essentially flat."

Session slog ends in $56B budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sports Illinois lawmakers passed a $59B budget with new business taxes, frozen gas tax hikes and funding tradeoffs.

Stay Informed About Upcoming Medicaid Changes

The federal government is enacting changes that may affect some Medicaid customers starting January 2027. Many customers will not be affected. Illinois Medicaid will contact you if these changes apply to you. Make sure we can reach you. If you receive mail from the State of Illinois, open it right away - your coverage may depend on it.

Update your address, phone number, and email today:Visit abe.illinois.govCall 877-805-5312

CBHA staff attended Governor Pritzker’s Youth Mental Health Roundtable, joining leaders and advocates focused on supporting the mental health and well-being of young people across Illinois.

The discussion included the growing impact of social media on youth mental health and the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces both online and in our communities. Conversations also highlighted the need for increased access to care and awareness.