Title: The Federal and State Role in Mental Health | Mental Health America
Headings: The Federal and State Role in Mental Health
The Federal and State Role in Mental Health
The Federal Role in Mental Health
The States' Role in Mental Health

Content: The Federal and State Role in Mental Health | Mental Health America
The Federal and State Role in Mental Health
The Federal Role in Mental Health
The federal government works in partnership with the states to address mental health. The federal role in mental health includes regulating systems and providers, protecting the rights of consumers, providing funding for services, and supporting research and innovation. As a major funding source for mental health services, the federal government establishes and enforces minimum standards that states can then expand upon. Federal Legislation and Regulations. Federal laws create changes and provide oversight across the states. Legislation at this level may take a longer time but can have a massive impact once passed. Regulations are rules issues by federal agencies to help implement the laws. In terms of mental health, regulations cover a variety of topics and apply to a number of groups including schools, insurance companies, treatment providers, and employers. These rules clarify just how major pieces of legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MPHAEA), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) should be implemented. The agencies also issue additional guidance when questions about compliance arise.