Policy Shifts & New Opportunities: Preparing for Change in Behavioral Health Care
Community Service Board of Middle Georgia | August 2025
Significant federal policy shifts are underway, and the implications for behavioral health organizations like the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia (CSBMG) are substantial. On July 4, 2025, the Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill (H.R.1 – “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) was passed, bringing dozens of changes that will affect how we serve individuals and families across our communities (Oss, 2025).
For those enrolled in ACA exchange plans, two major changes will take effect. First, premium subsidies will end on December 31, 2025, and by the end of 2027, new documentation requirements will be enforced. Meanwhile, Medicaid expansion enrollees will face work requirements and eligibility redeterminations every six months starting as early as December 31, 2026, though exemptions could push implementation to 2028 (Oss, 2025).
These changes will likely result in more uninsured individuals and an increased need for free or subsidized care—services CSBMG already provides across sixteen counties. With state and local governments also experiencing fiscal strain, community-based organizations must prepare for growing demand and fewer resources.
During the recent OPEN MINDS webinar, “Beyond the Cuts: Protecting Behavioral Health In An Era Of Policy Change,” Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, emphasized that government partnerships, once considered reliable, are now increasingly unpredictable. This uncertainty requires a new level of agility and foresight for local providers (Oss, 2025).
CSBMG is committed to meeting these challenges head-on. As suggested by national leaders, now is the time to assess client demographics, identify populations that may remain eligible under disability provisions, and prepare internal workflows for increased eligibility redeterminations. This kind of proactive planning is essential to reduce disruption in care and ensure continuity for the people we serve.
Moreover, health plans will also be forced to adapt. With a smaller pool of eligible members, increased risk profiles, and tighter budgets, insurers will become more selective in their spending. This shift represents an opportunity for CSBMG to strengthen relationships with health plans by demonstrating our value in serving high-needs individuals through quality-driven, cost-effective care models.
Financial challenges are inevitable, and we must prepare for payment delays, sudden changes in reimbursement, and potential reductions in grant funding. However, CSBMG is not new to adversity. Our strength lies in our mission-focused approach, resilience, and community-centered innovation. As organizations across the country re-evaluate their sustainability and consider closing programs, we will remain focused on growth—positioning ourselves to fill those gaps and expand access where others may retreat.
Technology and data will play a critical role in this strategy and access to real-time metrics allows leadership to make informed, agile decisions (Oss, 2025). CSBMG continues to enhance its internal systems and dashboards, ensuring our teams have the tools needed to track performance, financial health, and clinical outcomes.
Additionally, alternative care models, such as hybrid service delivery, including hospital diversion partnerships, represent exciting opportunities for CSBMG to evolve. These innovations can support uninsured or underinsured individuals while reinforcing our role as a safety-net provider.
CSBMG will remain focused on our core mission: to promote wellness, recovery, and self-sufficiency in our communities. We will continue to explore every opportunity to serve our consumers more effectively—through innovation, collaboration, and leadership. As stated by Louis Pasteur, “Chance only favors the mind which is prepared.” In that spirit, CSBMG will stay prepared, agile, and mission-driven as we navigate what’s next.
References
Oss, M. E. (2025, August 5). Uncertainty & opportunity. OPEN MINDS Daily Executive Briefing. https://www.openminds.com/market-intelligence/executive-briefings/uncertainty-opportunity/