Policy Update July 2026
Key Developments
- CMS proposed CY 2027 Physician Fee Schedule changes to align Medicare rules with the extended in-person visit waiver for tele-mental health.
- CMS proposed CY 2027 outpatient payment updates for intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
- HRSA delayed certain HPSA designation withdrawals, preserving workforce program eligibility during state data reviews.
- FDA finalized guidance on psychedelic drug clinical investigations.
Practice Policy Update
HRSA re-established National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
- July 9, HRSA announced the re-establishment of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services to advise HHS on rural health care delivery, financing, workforce development, mental health, tribal health, and related access issues.
CMS proposed CY 2027 Medicare telepsychiatry rule alignment
- July 14, CMS CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule changes to align Medicare rules with the extended in-person visit waiver for tele-mental health.
Treatment Policy Update
DEA to temporarily schedule 7-OH and related substances
- July 1, DEA noticed intent to begin temporary scheduling for certain kratom-related substances, including enhanced 7-OH above a specified threshold and three synthetic 7-OH derivatives.
KFF tracker summarized federal policy actions
- July 10, KFF published a tracker summarizing federal policy actions related to opioids, mental health, federal infrastructure and data, guidance, and gun violence during the current administration.
FDA finalized guidance on psychedelic-drug clinical investigations
- July 13, the FDA finalized guidance on psychedelic drugs in clinical investigations, including research considerations for psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders.
HHS & VA announced partnership to advance rapid-acting mental health treatments for veterans
- July 13, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS and VA) announced a memorandum of understanding to coordinate research, clinical development, workforce training, protocols, and real-world evidence for future FDA-approved rapid-acting psychedelic drug products for veterans with serious mental health conditions.
Funding
HRSA keeps certain shortage areas in “Proposed for Withdrawal” status
- July 1, HRSA delayed certain HPSA designation withdrawals, preserving workforce program eligibility during state data reviews
CMS proposed CY 2027 payment updates
- July 2, CMS’s CY 2027 outpatient payment updates for intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. Effective January 1, if finalized.
SAMHSA announced grant programs
- July 6, SAMHSA announced more than $281 million across 15 grant programs for substance use treatment, overdose prevention, suicide prevention, school mental health, trauma-informed care, integrated primary and mental health care, recovery supports, privacy education, and workforce development.
State Policy Update
New York enacted legislation for outpatient mental health services
- July 16, New York enacted legislation authorizing the state’s Office of Mental Health and Office of Addiction Services and Supports to establish a single licensing framework for integrated outpatient mental health services.
Expanded prescribing authority in Hawaii and Vermont
- July 15, Hawaii and Vermont became the latest states to expand prescribing authority for specially trained psychologists, bringing the number of states authorizing the practice to nine, reported Becker’s Behavioral Health.
APNA Advocacy
Public Comment Request: Health Resources and Services Administration Uniform Data System
- APNA shared comments on an HRSA Information Collection Request (ICR) submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval, supporting HRSA’s proposed updates to the Uniform Data System (UDS) and urging the agency to accurately capture the role of PMH-APRNs and PMH-RNs in behavioral health workforce data to improve workforce planning, policy decisions, and access to mental health care.
Published July 2026.
This summary was informed by human-guided AI tools. Readers are encouraged to review the supporting links for full information.
