NAMI Statement on House Budget Resolution Putting Mental Health Care at Risk for Millions

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., following the U.S. House of Representatives advancing a budget resolution that could lead to drastic cuts to Medicaid, putting mental health care at risk for millions of Americans:

"The House took the first step in advancing a budget that, if enacted by Congress, would lead to drastic, harmful cuts to Medicaid. This is disappointing news for all Americans but especially people affected by mental health conditions. Medicaid is a lifeline to tens of millions of people who rely on this coverage to access mental health services. This budget resolution puts access to those services at risk, potentially harming the one in three people with mental illness who rely on Medicaid.

"While this setback is disappointing, our fight is far from over. Lives are at stake, and we cannot afford to let mental health care take a backseat. As Congress continues to negotiate a path forward on its budget process, NAMI strongly urges federal policymakers to protect Medicaid—and protect mental health—and reject any cuts or new barriers to Medicaid that will limit access to mental health care."

The resolution calls for the House Energy & Commerce Committee specifically to cut at least $880 billion from programs under their jurisdiction, which includes Medicaid. It is not possible to come close to that amount without drastic and harmful changes to the Medicaid program.

More than 72 million people rely on Medicaid, a public health insurance program that covers many people with mental health conditions, as well as pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, working families, and veterans. Medicaid pays for vital services that people with mental health conditions rely on such as medications, case management, therapy, peer support, and crisis care. This resolution – and its proposed cuts to Medicaid – puts access to these services at risk.

NAMI and its advocates have been vocal about the real-world impacts on care that these cuts will have on people with mental health conditions, sending more than 57,000 messages to Congress so far strongly opposing any Medicaid cuts. NAMI will continue advocating to protect Medicaid and urges the U.S. Senate to oppose any budget resolution that would threaten Medicaid. Learn more at nami.org/Medicaid.

SOURCE National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)