Public Policy
One of NBHP’s primary goals is to identify and work together as a strong voice representing the behavioral health provider community in greater Houston. During the 87th Legislative Session, NBHP’s top issue was to ensure that the Texas Legislature continues to invest in and improve access to high quality mental health and substance use disorder services in the Greater Houston area and across Texas.
87th Texas Legislative Session Update
After four and a half months, the 87th Texas Legislative Session concluded on May 31, 2021. Over 7,000 bills were filed, and NBHP tracked over 200 related to mental health and substance use disorders; conducted more than 30 virtual and in-person legislative meetings; provided 10 written and oral testimonies; and mobilized more than 170 advocates to send over 1,500 messages to their legislators on important mental health and substance used disorder-related bills.
Thanks to our collective efforts, dozens of behavioral health-focused bills passed, including three of NBHP’s priority bills. They are:
After four and a half months, the 87th Texas Legislative Session concluded on May 31, 2021. Over 7,000 bills were filed, and NBHP tracked over 200 related to mental health and substance use disorders; conducted more than 30 virtual and in-person legislative meetings; provided 10 written and oral testimonies; and mobilized more than 170 advocates to send over 1,500 messages to their legislators on important mental health and substance used disorder-related bills.
Thanks to our collective efforts, dozens of behavioral health-focused bills passed, including three of NBHP’s priority bills. They are:
- HB 4, which will expand telehealth service access, including for behavioral health care;
- HB 133, which will extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum women from two months to six months; and
- HB 707, which will require a study regarding the expansion of recovery housing in Texas.
We want to thank everyone who advocated for bills, provided testimony, submitted comments, engaged in advocacy alerts, made phone calls to legislators, etc. Your efforts helped make meaningful change for behavioral health in Texas!
- Check out NBHP's 87th Legislative Platform.
- For the full 87th Texas Legislative Session Wrap-Up Guide, please see below.
Sydney Carter, NBHP's Mental Health Policy Fellow, testified on May 12, 2021 in favor of HB 4, which would expand access to telehealth services, at the Senate Health & Human Services committee.
Network of Behavioral Health Providers
9401 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77074
Phone: 713-970-3410
9401 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77074
Phone: 713-970-3410