Policy Veteran Scott Dziengelski Returns to Lead NABH at Critical Juncture

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 13, 2026 – The National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) today welcomed Scott Dziengelski as its new president and chief executive officer, a move that signals a reinforced focus on high-stakes policy advocacy at a pivotal moment for mental health and substance use disorder treatment in the United States. Dziengelski, a familiar face to the association, brings nearly two decades of experience shaping healthcare legislation and regulation from inside Congress, a top law firm, and a prominent think tank.

His appointment comes as behavioral healthcare providers navigate a complex and challenging landscape, marked by an ongoing addiction crisis, severe workforce shortages, and a persistent battle for true mental health parity. Dziengelski’s deep expertise in the intricate workings of Washington is seen as a critical asset for an organization representing provider systems across the nation.

"Scott's extensive policy expertise, leadership experience, and longstanding commitment to behavioral healthcare make him uniquely qualified to lead NABH at this critical time," said Mark Covall, NABH Interim President and CEO. "We are thrilled to welcome him back to the association and look forward to his leadership in advancing our priorities."

A Career Forged in Policy and Advocacy

Dziengelski’s career is a roadmap of strategic engagement with federal healthcare policy. He returns to NABH from a role as a consultant with the FDA & Life Sciences team at King & Spalding, where he advocated for a diverse range of healthcare entities before Congress and key federal agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This experience is complemented by his work on Capitol Hill, where he served as a legislative director in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his tenure, he was a pivotal figure in advancing mental health reform, most notably playing a key role in building bipartisan consensus for the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. Many of the reforms from that legislation were ultimately incorporated into the landmark 21st Century Cures Act, demonstrating his ability to navigate partisan divides to achieve meaningful policy outcomes. His work with the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, which holds broad jurisdiction over healthcare, provides him with an intimate understanding of the legislative process.

From May 2017 to January 2020, Dziengelski served as NABH's director of policy and regulatory affairs, helping to craft the very advocacy agenda he will now lead. His academic background, which includes a bachelor's degree in public policy from American University and a master's in psychology from Pepperdine University, uniquely blends a grasp of policy mechanics with an understanding of the human element at the core of behavioral health. He also continues to contribute to the policy discourse as an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where he analyzes regulations affecting individuals with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

Navigating a Critical Legislative Landscape

Dziengelski takes the helm as the behavioral health sector faces both significant opportunities and profound challenges. Federal agencies and Congress are actively engaged in shaping the future of mental healthcare access and delivery. CMS, for instance, is moving forward with its Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model, set to launch in 2025, which aims to test integrated, whole-person care approaches for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The agency has also proposed payment increases for crisis care and SUD treatments and is working to expand the types of professionals who can enroll in Medicare to provide services.

Simultaneously, the industry is grappling with existential threats. The Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus in the House has identified persistent workforce shortages and the need for improved crisis response infrastructure as top priorities. Yet, these goals are set against a backdrop of potential federal budget cuts to key agencies like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and proposed changes to Medicaid that could impact coverage for millions.

Central to this policy battle is the ongoing fight to enforce mental health parity laws, which mandate that insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders be no more restrictive than coverage for medical and surgical care. Despite being law for years, advocates argue that enforcement remains weak and reimbursement disparities continue to create barriers to care. Dziengelski's expertise will be crucial in championing stronger regulations and holding payers accountable.

Charting the Course for NABH's Advocacy

Dziengelski’s leadership is expected to bring renewed energy and strategic focus to NABH’s established advocacy priorities. The association has clearly outlined its 2025 agenda, which directly aligns with the most pressing issues facing the sector and Dziengelski's own background.

At the top of the list is reforming the decades-old Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion, a Medicaid policy that prohibits the use of federal funds for care in mental health and SUD residential treatment facilities with more than 16 beds. Critics have long argued that this policy severely restricts access to necessary inpatient and residential care, and momentum for its reform is building in Congress with proposals like the Michelle Go Act. Dziengelski's legislative acumen will be instrumental in navigating these complex efforts.

Addressing the behavioral health workforce crisis and responding to America's ongoing addiction crisis are also core pillars of NABH's platform. This involves advocating for federal investments in training and recruitment, expanding access to evidence-based treatments like medication-assisted treatment, and pushing back against policies that could harm opioid treatment programs. With his experience representing drug manufacturers and providers, Dziengelski is well-positioned to lead a multi-faceted approach to the addiction crisis.

"I am honored to return to NABH and serve as its president and CEO," Dziengelski stated. "NABH plays a vital role in advocating for policies that expand access to high-quality behavioral healthcare. I look forward to working with our team, members, policymakers, and partners to address the nation's most pressing mental health and substance use disorder challenges." His return marks not just a change in leadership, but a strategic doubling-down on the power of policy to shape a better, more accessible behavioral healthcare system for all Americans.