From Left Out to Leading: Standardizing Behavioral Health Data Through BHIT with Talisha Searcy, Senior Advisor within the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, and Kacie Kelly, Chief Innovation Officer at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Thanks for tuning into the expanding access podcast. Ready to take your knowledge, network, and experience to the next level? Then join us at the BHT Conference in San Diego on November 11-13. Join thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and payers focused on expanding access and improving outcomes in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and IDD.Save $100 on your registration ⁠here ⁠by using your podcast promo code “Podcast100” Behavioral health was left out of the digital revolution in healthcare; now a $20 million federal initiative is changing that story. In this episode, Talisha Searcy, Senior Advisor within the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, and Kacie Kelly, Chief Innovation Officer at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, discuss the Behavioral Health Information Technology Initiative. Talisha explained that BHIT is a $20 million partnership between ASTP and SAMHSA focused on standardizing behavioral health data, advancing EHR adoption, and improving integration with physical health. Kacie highlighted that behavioral health was left out of the HITECH Act, creating long-standing gaps in infrastructure, funding, and data standards that BHIT now aims to address. Talisha emphasized the importance of interoperability and the USCDI+ for behavioral health, with pilots testing real-world data exchange and toolkits to help providers adopt these standards. Both emphasized the importance of collaboration across federal agencies to ensure alignment, as well as opportunities for innovators and the private sector to engage in shaping policies, particularly in areas such as interoperability and AI. Locally, Talisha noted how technology like telehealth is already improving access and care coordination in communities, despite workforce shortages. Tune in to hear from national leaders on how BHIT is setting new standards, driving innovation, and opening doors for providers and innovators in the behavioral health field! Resources: Connect with and follow Talisha Searcy on LinkedIn. Follow the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy on LinkedIn and visit their website.  Connect with and follow Kacie Kelly on LinkedIn. Follow the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute on LinkedIn and visit their website. Learn more about the HeadsUp service here.