Valor Together Opposes Elimination of Public Comment Period on Federal Health Regulations

[Newton, Mass.] – March 7, 2025 – Valor Together, an advocate for youth mental health, urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reverse its new policy to eliminate the public comment period for certain regulatory actions. HHS’ decision threatens key transparency and accountability elements of the rulemaking process, particularly for policies affecting our nation’s youth.

Public comment periods provide an essential opportunity for parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, and mental health professionals to voice concerns and offer input on policies that can directly impact youth services. By removing this feedback mechanism in the rulemaking process, HHS risks making decisions without considering the needs and perspectives of those most affected by these policies: children, families, and providers.

The loss of stakeholder input is especially troubling at a time when youth mental health needs are more urgent than ever. In 2019, the CDC found a steady increase in the rate of mental illness among children dating back to 1994. According to the NIH, approximately 1 in 5 children experience a mental health disorder in a given year, but this rate increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2007 through 2021, the suicide rate among people aged 10-24 increased by 62%.

From researching behavioral health data, to setting reimbursement rates for providers in Medicaid, or administering grants for school-based mental health programs, HHS’ 13 divisions play a critical role in shaping the behavioral health system. We believe that public input is not just a formality—it is vital to creating policies that genuinely support the well-being of our youth.  Public comment periods ensure that policies are shaped by the lived experiences of communities, which is essential for addressing the unique challenges young people face. Eliminating this opportunity for participation will diminish trust in the policymaking process and hinder efforts to create more effective and inclusive mental health solutions.

Valor Together urges HHS to reconsider its recent policy statement and restore the public comment period. Building a world where no child suffers from mental illness alone depends on policies that are informed by the voices of those who care most deeply for them.

For more information or to express your concerns, please contact Valor Together at info@valortogether.org.

About Valor Together
Valor Together is a non-profit based in Newton, MA dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for children throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We cultivate courageous conversations with families while strengthening community and increasing access to counseling services. By working with schools, local officials, community leaders, and mental health professionals, Valor Together engages key stakeholders throughout the state to ensure our efforts best serve the needs of everyone involved in the mental health system.