What the MAHA Action Plan Covers
On May 4, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a bold new action plan. The plan targets psychiatric overprescribing in America. HHS unveiled this initiative at a MAHA Institute summit focused on mental health and overmedicalization. The announcement marks a significant shift in federal health policy — one that prioritizes prevention, patient autonomy, and holistic mental health care.
Furthermore, HHS agencies are now aligning their collective expertise to evaluate prescription patterns for psychiatric medications. They are also assessing benefits, potential harms, and the expanding role of non-medication treatments. This multipronged approach combines education, policy action, and research-to-practice initiatives.
Secretary Kennedy’s Key Statement
A Direct Call to Reform
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. served as the closing speaker at the MAHA Institute summit. He presented the new action plan clearly and with urgency. “Today, we take clear and decisive action to confront our nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the overuse of psychiatric medications — especially among children,” Secretary Kennedy stated.
Additionally, he emphasized three priorities: patient autonomy, informed consent, and shared decision-making. His goal is to shift the standard of care toward prevention, transparency, and a more holistic approach to mental health treatment. This signals a broader transformation in how HHS approaches mental health at the federal level.
Dear Colleague Letter and CMS Guidance
HHS Encourages Providers to Rethink Prescribing
HHS published a Dear Colleague Letter on May 4, 2026. This letter encourages providers to prioritize informed consent and shared decision-making with patients. Moreover, it urges clinicians to regularly review both the risks and benefits of psychiatric medications.
The letter highlights several non-medication approaches. These include family support, psychotherapy, nutrition, and physical activity when clinically appropriate. In addition, the letter outlines billing codes that support the delivery of evidence-based non-medication treatments.
CMS Clarifies Deprescribing Payment Rules
Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released new guidance for physicians. This guidance clarifies how practitioners can receive payment for deprescribing-related care under Medicare. CMS also directs clinicians to professional society guidelines, peer-reviewed deprescribing protocols, and FDA taper schedule instructions.
Upcoming Education and Outreach Activities
SAMHSA Leads Prescribing Trend Reporting
First, SAMHSA will release a report on prescribing trends in May 2026. This report aims to reduce inappropriate prescribing while maintaining patient access. SAMHSA will also publish a fact sheet for both prescribers and patients.
Webinars for Health Professionals
Next, SAMHSA will host educational webinars throughout June and July. These sessions will increase awareness of psychiatric medication side effects. They will also cover deprescribing approaches and evidence-based non-medication treatments for health professionals.
Joint Webinar with HRSA
During summer 2026, SAMHSA and HRSA will co-host a webinar for Federally Qualified Health Center providers. The webinar focuses on holistic care, including non-medication treatments and safe tapering of psychiatric medications.
Technical Expert Panel in July
Finally, HHS will convene a Technical Expert Panel in July 2026. This panel will gather input from health professionals, patients, families, government agencies, and professional societies. Their findings will inform formal HHS clinical guidance on appropriate psychiatric medication use.
Program, Policy, and Research Initiatives
Grant-Funded Clinical Training
HHS agencies will support clinical practice changes through targeted grant activities. These grants fund child-specific training for frontline prescribers. The training covers assessment, treatment planning, and referral decision-making. Grants also support timely specialist consultations and same-day consultation access for complex cases.
CMS Expands Access to Non-Medication Care
CMS will actively work to expand access to evidence-based non-medication care. The agency also aims to reduce overreliance on psychiatric medications. Furthermore, CMS plans to simplify coverage to ensure timely access to psychotherapy and family support services for children and adolescents.
NIH and FDA Accelerate Mental Health Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the FDA are expediting research into innovative mental health treatments. Together, they aim to bring new, evidence-backed solutions into clinical practice faster than before.
What This Means for Patients
A Unified Federal Approach to Mental Health Reform
This action plan represents a unified and comprehensive federal effort. Its core purpose is to return to gold-standard science in mental health care. Both children and adults struggling with mental health challenges deserve accurate information. They also deserve support for making informed treatment decisions.
Consequently, this initiative encourages a broader cultural shift — away from reflexive prescribing and toward personalized, prevention-first care. Patients gain stronger rights through informed consent. Providers gain clearer guidance on safer prescribing and deprescribing practices. Together, these changes build a more transparent and effective mental health system.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org. To find a treatment facility or provider near you, visit FindTreatment.gov.
