NAMI HelpLine

Protect Medicaid. Protect Mental Health.

Medicaid is a public health insurance program that covered about 72 million people, as of March 2025, including many people with mental health conditions, as well as pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, working families, and veterans.

When we protect Medicaid, we protect mental health. Roughly 2 in 5 non-elderly adults on Medicaid have a MH/SUD. 1 in 3 people with mental illness rely on Medicaid. Medicaid pays for 1 in 4 dollars spent on MH/SUD treatment. 1 in 10 Veterans are covered by Medicaid.

Medicaid pays for vital services that people with mental health conditions rely on such as medications, case management, therapy, peer supports, and crisis care.

NAMI advocates share how Medicaid has impacted their mental health

In July 2025, Congress passed significant cuts to Medicaid that will impact millions of Americans. Read on to learn more about these cuts and how Medicaid impacts people with mental health conditions.

"Without Medicaid covering my mental health treatment, I would not have improved to where I am now. I have not been hospitalized for 19 years, and I am in recovery. I have been able to manage my symptoms through the help of Medicaid. Medicaid saved my life because I got the right medications, a good psychiatrist and a therapist." - Eileen, California

Where NAMI Stands on Medicaid


In 2025, NAMI advocates took more than 168,000 actions to protect Medicaid for people affected by mental health conditions. NAMI also spoke out frequently about changes to Medicaid:

  • July 3: NAMI Statement on Final Passage of Bill Cutting Medicaid for Millions of Americans
  • July 1: NAMI Statement on Senate Advancing Harmful Medicaid Cuts
  • May 22: NAMI Statement on Devastating Medicaid, SNAP Cuts Passed by U.S. House
  • May 12: NAMI Press Release: House Budget Reconciliation Proposals Will Be Devastating for Medicaid, People with Mental Illness
  • April 3: NAMI Press Release: Proposed Cuts to Medicaid Deeply Unpopular Across Party Lines, New NAMI-Ipsos Poll Finds
  • February 26: NAMI Statement on House Budget Resolution Putting Mental Health Care at Risk for Millions

Cuts to Medicaid funding or benefits disproportionately harm people with mental health and substance use conditions. Read NAMI’s public policy positions on Medicaid.

Medicaid and Mental Health in Your State


Download state-specific fact sheets on how Medicaid impacts mental health care in your state.

Additional Actions


NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “NAMI” to 62640, or email. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).