SWACH Policy Advocacy: Mental/Behavioral Health and SUD
Policy advocacy is deeply connected to SWACH’s mission and values because it is a primary vehicle for achieving health equity and empowering communities in Southwest Washington. SWACH’s mission is to pursue health equity by addressing barriers to well-being through collaboration, innovation, and community partnerships, ensuring every community has access to the resources needed for physical, behavioral, economic, and social wellness. Every year SWACH staff works with community members to identify what policies are most impactful for their communities. This then drives the priorities for advocacy. While gathering data, four policy areas consistently presented themselves: Housing, Behavioral/Mental Health (including SUD), Access, and Native and Tribal Affairs.
This report will be focused on mental/behavioral health and SUD.
Policy Connection: Why MH/BH Bills/Policies Matter
Substance use and mental health issues have wide-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities, including increased healthcare costs, higher rates of homelessness, incarceration, and chronic disease. Prevention and early intervention are cost-effective strategies that reduce these negative outcomes and promote resilience, especially among youth and high-need populations. SWACH’s focus on these areas aligns with statewide and national priorities for healthier, more resilient communities.
Key highlights include:
HB 1427 – Integrating Peer Services into Clinical Care
This bill supports primary care clinics and hospitals in bringing peer support services into their care models. It also helps the state save money by improving how peer services are billed.
Passed in April | Goes into effect July 2025
HB 1432 – Removing Insurance Barriers
This bill ensures insurance companies cover mental health and addiction care fairly. It creates clear rules for what must be covered, speeds up approvals, and reduces red tape.
Passed in April | Goes into effect July 2025
HB 1813 – Improving Medicaid for Crisis Care
This bill changes how Washington manages Medicaid contracts, aiming to make mental health and substance use crisis services faster and more effective for people in need.
Passed in April | Goes into effect July 2025
How did SWACH show up: Approach and Impact
Advocacy is key to shifting mental health and substance use policy, funding, and stigma. SWACH mobilized community health workers and advocates to lead change within their communities, ensuring lived experience guided every meeting, rally, and message. We partnered with local organizations to approach the legislative session strategically, including Recovery Housing Day, where SWACH and Thrive2Survive brought 30 advocates to Olympia to rally, testify, and share their stories with lawmakers. Beyond Olympia, we continued working alongside partners like Washington Recovery Alliance, Thrive2Survive, and the Prevention Recovery Alliance of Clark County. These collaborations are building lasting momentum for change—stay tuned for ways to get involved.
For more on SWACH’s Advocacy work, click here or download our Mental Health Policy Advocacy one pager.