APA Invited to CMS Listening Session on Antipsychotic Medications in Nursing Homes
APA President Dr. Mark Rapaport, MD, DLFAPA was invited by CMS to a listening session around the use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. Discussion included the role of psychiatric evaluation, as well as the limitations of the current quality measures on appropriate prescribing.

APA Provides Comments to FDA on the Potential Therapeutic Use of Psychedelic Drugs
In the ongoing coordination between the federal government agencies on accelerating treatments for Serious Mental Illness, the FDA requested information on the considerations for potential therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs. In a letter to the FDA, APA reminds the regulating body that public enthusiasm and promising early findings must not substitute for unbiased evidence that meets the scientific integrity and regulatory standards that patients and clinicians expect. APA also emphasizes safe use must be preceded by accurate psychiatric diagnosis, assessment of comorbidities and drug interactions, informed consent, the clinical environment, monitoring, emergency readiness, and longitudinal follow-up that integrates psychotherapy to support therapeutic processes and sustained treatment gains.

APA Provides Comments to FDA on Regulation of Generative AI-Enabled Medical Devices Discussion Paper
APA submitted comments to the FDA on its discussion paper on generative AI-enabled medical devices. APA emphasized the need for rigorous clinical evidence, ongoing safety monitoring, and psychiatric expertise when evaluating devices intended for mental health care, including their performance on outcomes that can be difficult to measure. Read the letter here.

APA Calls for Strong Evidence Standards in Accelerated Medicare Device Coverage
APA submitted comments to CMS on the proposed RAPID pathway, which would accelerate Medicare coverage decisions for certain FDA-designated Breakthrough Devices. APA supported earlier coordination between CMS and FDA but stressed that faster review should not lower evidence standards. The comments called for meaningful representation of Medicare beneficiaries, clinically relevant outcomes, safeguards for psychiatric and AI-enabled devices, transparent postmarket monitoring, and clear limits when Medicare temporarily covers a device while additional evidence is collected. Read the letter here.

APA Response to Senate Finance Committee RFI on Heath Coverage
APA submitted a response to a request from the Senate Finance Committee’s Democratic Staff for information on “Health Coverage That Works for Everyone”, providing input on insurance reforms to strengthen access to behavioral health care. These recommended reforms would meaningfully address the scope of barriers patients face to behavioral health care, looking at not only if they have coverage, but whether that coverage allows them access to care. Read APA’s full letter and detailed recommendations to the Committee here. Additionally, APA submitted a response to the Committee’s request alongside multiple medical organizations, urging step therapy and prior authorization reform. Specifically, the groups asked Congress to require all insurance plans to establish a clear, standardized process for patients and clinicians to request an exemption to step therapy. Read the full letter here.

APA, MHLG Push for Increased Project AWARE Funding
APA joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) in a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee pushing increased funding for Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) grants. This critical program provides grant funding for initiatives designed to promote youth mental health, increase access to mental health treatment, and improve mental health awareness among school personnel. The groups urged Senate appropriators to match the House’s proposed FY 2027 funding level of $151,052,000 for Project Aware, an $11 million increase from its current level. Read the full letter here.

APA, MHLG Support 988 Implementation Act
APA joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) in endorsing the 988 Implementation Act, introduced by Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). The bill, a legislative package of efforts to improve the 988 lifeline and crisis response services, would provide funding for call centers to hire staff, enhance technology, training, and operational capabilities, and authorize funds for communities to improve or develop mobile crisis response teams. It would also establish a national suicide prevention media campaign to raise awareness, expand workforce training programs for behavioral health providers, and expand health insurance coverage for crisis response and stabilization. Read the full letter to the bill sponsors here.