Research & Technology

Congress should designate a regulatory agency to evaluate mobile health product effectiveness in real-world settings.[1]

Federal departments and agencies should make mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) data collection and reporting a top priority by finalizing a proposed rule to require states to report on MH/SUD measures in Medicaid, creating a common MH/SUD data model and reporting portal that all recipients of federal MH/SUD funds must use, reestablishing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Data Council, and adding new MH/SUD vital statistics records to the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) that are updated monthly.

Congress should pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (Momnibus 2.0) package, which includes 13 bills to address alarming disparities in Black maternal health.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must finalize strong regulations to align privacy protections for substance use disorder (SUD) patient recommendations with protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Congress previously passed legislation to address problems caused by a provision of federal law – 42 CFR Part 2 – that has inhibited the integration of SUD care with mental health and physical health care.[1]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should fast-track the creation of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved technology-based treatments, digital interventions, and biomarker-based interventions. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) should develop a means to evaluate behavior modification apps for effectiveness.[1]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) should implement a fast-track review process for any new evidence-based technology supporting substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatments.[1]