BPC Report Calls for Changes to Support the Workforce Delivering Integrated Primary Care, Behavioral Health Services

Washington, DC – The Bipartisan Policy Center released a new report outlining recommendations to grow and support the health care workforce that is needed to integrate behavioral health services into primary care. The report, Strengthening the Integrated Care Workforce, done with the support of the Commonwealth Fund, argues that integrating mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and primary care is essential to closing the nation’s behavioral health treatment gap. 

Through extensive stakeholder interviews and roundtables, BPC developed practical policy solutions focused on three main areas: training, financing, and network requirements and flexibility. Recommendations include:  

• Supporting the workforce needed to deliver integrated behavioral health services through training and recruitment;  
• Financing integrated models of care to ensure continued uptake by providers and ample opportunities for providers to enhance their capabilities by working in integrated care settings; and 
• Increasing accountability and the flexibility of the existing workforce to deliver integrated care, such as new policies regarding licensure.  

“This report provides a roadmap for policymakers to follow, directing resources to increase the availability of integrated care models,” said Associate Director of Health Policy Julia Harris. “With bipartisan collaboration, we can grow this critical workforce and ensure more people get the behavioral health care they need, when and where they need it.”

Policymakers seeking to advance integration should consider the report’s pragmatic policy solutions. BPC stands ready to work with the Biden administration and Congress toward implementing these recommendations.

The full report is available on the BPC website.