Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Office of Behavioral Health, Disability, and Aging Policy (BHDAP)

The Office of Behavioral Health, Disability, and Aging Policy (BHDAP) focuses on policies and programs that support the independence, productivity, health and well-being, and long-term care needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and people with mental and substance use disorders.

Note: BHDAP was previously known as the Office of Disability, Aging, and Long-Term Care Policy (DALTCP). Only our office name has changed, not our mission, portfolio, or policy focus.

The Division of Behavioral Health Policy is responsible for the analysis, coordination, research and evaluation of policies related to mental and substance use disorders, also referred to as behavioral health. The division is the focal point for policy development and analysis related to the financing, access/delivery, organization, and quality of services for people with mental and substance use disorders, including those supported or financed by Medicaid, Medicare, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The Division of Long-Term Services and Supports is responsible for the analysis, coordination, and research and evaluation of policies related to institutional and community-based long-term care and supportive services, including formal and informal caregiving. The Division is the focal point for policy development and analysis related to the financing, delivery, organization, and quality of long-term care services and supports, including those supported or financed by private insurers, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Administration for Community Living (ACL).

The Division of Disability and Aging Policy is responsible for policy and data development, coordination, research and evaluation of policies and programs focused on the functioning and well-being of persons with disabilities and older adults. The Division is the focal point for crosscutting disability and aging collaboration within the Department and across other federal agencies. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, are notable areas of engagement and expertise.

Helpful Information:

Reports

Displaying 1 - 10 of 982. 10 per page. Page 1.

Advanced Search
ASPE Issue Brief

Opioid Use Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women and their Children

This study represents findings from a descriptive analysis of a linked mother-child Medicaid claims dataset to examine the characteristics of pregnant women who use medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) or intensive behavioral health treatment; additional analysis describes the mental health and neurodevelopment outcomes of their children at one year and three years.
ASPE Issue Brief

Nursing Home Closures Did Not Increase in 2020 and 2021, Despite Financial Challenges Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic Issue Brief

Nursing homes experienced unprecedented financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about a potential increase in nursing home closures.
Research Brief

Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Differences in COVID-19 Diagnosis and Mortality Among Nursing Home Residents

Nursing homes have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there were racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences in COVID-19 infection and mortality rates at both the nursing home resident and nursing home facility levels. The study includes national data on COVID-19 outcomes for nursing home residents through the end of June 2021.
ASPE Issue Brief

Barriers and Opportunities for Improving Interstate Licensure Portability for Behavioral Health Practitioners: Technical Expert Panel Findings Issue Brief

In October 2022, ASPE convened a virtual technical expert panel (TEP) to discuss policy options that encourage interstate licensure among behavioral health providers.
ASPE Issue Brief, Report

Evaluation of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Grant Program for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness

Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) is a civil court procedure whereby a judge orders an adult with serious mental illness (SMI) to comply with community-based treatment. Developed as a less restrictive alternative to involuntary hospitalization, AOT focuses on individuals at risk of clinical deterioration or rehospitalization because they do not voluntarily comply with prescribed treatment.
ASPE Issue Brief, Database, Dataset, Report

Developing a Database of SUD Treatment Needs

A 2020 study examined the feasibility of using substance use disorder (SUD) patient intake assessment data as source of information for treatment planning.
ASPE Data Point

Nurse Staffing Estimates in US Nursing Homes, May 2024

In April 2024, CMS issued the Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting final rule which established new minimum nurse staffing requirements for nursing homes by nurse type.
ASPE Issue Brief

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Section 1915(c) Waiver Policy Flexibilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: State Agency, Provider, and Consumer Experiences Issue Brief

States may use Appendix K to modify their existing Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) 1915(c) waiver programs during emergency situations. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, states used Appendix K to make temporary changes to access and eligibility, payment, services, and other aspects of their waiver programs.
Research Brief

Changes in Ownership of Skilled Nursing Facilities from 2016 to 2021: Variations by Size, Occupancy Rate, Penalty Amount, and Type of Ownership

Stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers have identified varying nursing home ownership structures and ownership transactions as potentially influencing the quality of care delivered to vulnerable residents.
Report

Medicare Advantage Coverage Among Individuals Receiving Federal Housing Assistance

Prior research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) show older adults receiving federal housing assistance face disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions and health care utilization.