Let's Be Different Together

As of 2025, several states have expanded Medicaid coverage specifically to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, particularly for underserved rural and low-income populations. This policy shift follows evidence showing that expanded Medicaid reduces untreated mental illness and hospitalizations. States like Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania report increased use of outpatient mental health services and better patient outcomes after adopting expansion programs. The federal government has increased funding and incentives to encourage more states to follow suit.

This progress marks a major step toward equitable mental health care access across the country.