The TCHM monitors legislation, programs, budgets, and proposals that impact the quality of mental health care and the treatment of substance use disorder and advocates for sound mental health/substance abuse public policy and increased funding for all Texans. We are a voice that unites the consumers, community mental health providers, licensed professionals, and other mental health care and substance use disorder organizations and advocacy groups. The diversity and strength of our membership has helped bring the TCHM recognition and respect at the Capitol.
As a coalition, we advocate only on issues for which there is a consensus among our broad membership. Those organizations that are able to lobby legislators regarding specific bills that will further the improvement and sustainability of mental health care and treatment throughout the state.
Since its inception, the TCHM has played a role in:
- Expanding oversight of mental health parity, including significant work on HB 10.
- Advancing HB 1486, the peer Medicaid reimbursement bill.
- Championing increased appropriations throughout the budget process. Our collaborative voice communicated the need for increased appropriations necessary to ensure ready access to mental health care (e.g., eliminating wait lists and funds to address future wait lists), as well as supporting increased substance use disorder services capacity.
- Backing of SB 292 to create a mental health grant program for people involved in the criminal justice system.
- Supporting HB 13 which called for mental health community collaborative grant programs