NACo’s Healthy Counties Initiative creates and sustains healthy counties by supporting collaboration and sharing evidence-informed approaches to pressing health issues. The initiative is centered on supporting and elevating best practices and county innovations in public health. By addressing key public health issues, Healthy Counties empowers county leaders with resources for promoting and advancing health policies and programs that meet the needs of their communities.

The Healthy Counties Initiative is supported by the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, a committee comprised of county elected officials, key county agency staff and corporate partners. These members work collaboratively to identify priorities and ensure that other county leaders receive timely and useful information to make appropriate health decisions for their communities.  

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HHS releases final rule on substance use confidentiality

In February, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) introduced a Final Rule amending the regulations governing the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records at 42 CFR part 2.

Doctors
Advocacy

CMS unveils new behavioral health model to advance health care integration

On January 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services introduced the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model. This model aims to improve care quality and outcomes for individuals with moderate to severe mental health conditions and substance use disorders by bridging the gap between behavioral and physical healthcare.

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Advocacy

Congress introduces Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023 to improve mental healthcare access

In early December, the Senate introduced the Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023. This bipartisan bill, introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), aims to enhance mental health crisis response through the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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Congress works to reauthorize behavioral and mental health programs in SUPPORT Act

In 2018, Congress passed the Substance-Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act. On September 30, many policy provisions in the original package expired, requiring congressional reauthorization to continue these critical programs among a worsening overdose crisis.

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County News

Counties tackle dental care for the underserved

The Community Health Centers of Linn and Benton County, Ore. are working with a recovery support service to alleviate barriers to treatment through its on-site dental program, which can see up to seven patients a day. 

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Advocacy

CMS releases interim final rule on Medicaid unwinding, enforcing requirements for states

On December 6, the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, released an interim final rule that enforces state and local requirements for post-COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Medicaid eligibility redeterminations and disenrollment, also known as “Medicaid unwinding.”

Related Events

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Webinar

County Strategies Supporting Older Adults and Their Caregivers

Join NACo and the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) to learn more about the new Action Guide for counties.

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Webinar

Advancing Crisis Communications: Highlighting Models of 911/988 Collaboration

Panelists will discuss progress, challenges and lessons learned from advancing their communities’ crisis response systems.

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