Title: Heath Reform Brief

Author:

Section/SPIG: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Issue Date:

Health and Behavioral Health Brief

By Kathye Gorosh

 

The recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act in March 2010 follows the passage of the Wellstone-Domenici Parity Act. In May, the Office of National Drug Control Policy announced their 2010 Drug Control Strategy (www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov), which takes a "balanced approach of prevention, treatment and enforcement to effectively address the serious drug challenges faced by our Nation today."

 

At long last, there will be real opportunities to de-stigmatize addiction and to expand access to addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services.

 

Although we all have our own sources of information and ways in which we keep up with new legislation, I would like to share some key links that provide succinct information:

 

1.  For a summary of the Health Reform Law and timeline for implementation – review the information from The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/public_policy_update_newsletter/april_22_2010#hcr

 

2. For a description of how Behavioral Health is addressed in Health Reform – go to: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/healthcare_reform and then scroll down to Fact Sheets: Healthcare Reform and Behavioral Health: Responding to New Demands and Emerging Health Crises. 

 

The Open Society Institute notes that the "the new law includes several provisions to address the addiction treatment gap:

 

  • Addiction treatment included in the basic benefit package.
  • Parity requirements extend to all group and individual plans, as well as future health insurance exchanges.
  • Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health are included in chronic disease prevention initiatives.
  • Workforce development initiatives to include a focus on addiction treatment services."

As health reform rolls out over the coming years, behavioral health care providers will see and experience a changing landscape. The paradigm of addiction service delivery will most certainly change and our field needs to be prepared. The importance of collaboration between health and human service agencies will be more important than ever.

 

Take Action -- Please be pro-active: stay in touch with your legislators – in their district or on Capitol Hill.

 

Watch for information from the ATOD Section – join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/APHA-ATOD-Section/101252503240336.