Mental Health Services Act ( Prop )

Institutional care was condemned, as in many cases patients’ mental conditions deteriorated, and institutions were not able to treat the individual in a holistic manner. In many state institutions, patients numerously outnumbered the poorly trained staff. Many patients were boarded in these facilities for extensive periods of time without receiving any services. By 1963, the average stay for an individual with a diagnosis of schizophrenia was eleven years. As the media and newspapers publicized the inhumane conditions that existed in many psychiatric hospitals, awareness grew and there was much public pressure to create improved treatment options (Young Minds Advocacy, 2016). .

Mental health in America is a stigmatized topic that affects nearly 20% of the population and around 1 in 4 people will be affected by a mental illness at some point in their life (World Health Organization, 2010). However, due to the stigma behind mental health, people often do not seek treatment. As for the homeless population, the rates are much higher, with 1 in 4 homeless individuals living with a severe mental illness (Jasinski, Wesely, Mustaine, & Wright, 2005). These people and this population struggles to receive adequate healthcare, but with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or better known as ObamaCare, there have been positive change made to help these individuals. However, the ACA is not perfect and there are

Problem Statement: The World Health Association defines ‘good’ health as: “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” However, in the United States, access to care and funding for mental health care are grossly neglected and underfunded in comparison to other aspects of health care.

An interesting finding by Huskamp and Iglehart (2016) is that between the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there should be a rise in people with mental illness seeking services, however, services are underutilized more than ever (Huskamp & Iglehart, 2016). According to Bendant (2014), in 2013 a total of 47 million people uninsured and 25% of those suffer mental illness (Bendant, 2014). These numbers are staggering for a service that is more inclusive now more than ever. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) site indicates that the MHPA is regulated differently depending on the state (CMS, n. d.). The Department of Labor (DOL) has identified a few problems with the MHPA and addressed these issues to Congress via a 2017 report (DOL, n.

The piece of this health reform act related to mental health stipulates that there be state laws mandating or regulating mental health benefits ("NCSL," 2012). This author has found no literature that indicates the effectiveness of the PPACA. Perhaps it is too early to determine the success or failure of the PPACA.

Mental Health is a state of social, emotional and psychological well-being. Mental health affects every part of our life and determines our ability to function, handle stress and make decisions. Throughout life, we have good and bad experiences which affect how we handle situations. The Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2015 was passed on September 30, 2015. The purpose of this act is to improve programs ordered by the Department of Health and Human Services to increase awareness, prevention and early identification of mental illnesses. Some challenges that affect mental health care in America include lack of knowledge regarding healthcare and insurance, lack of funding, no minimum standards, and lack of access to medication.

Lower income populations have been categorized with high rates of being uninsured and as mentioned in this brief earlier, mental health and substance use disorders are more prevalent among lower income populations. The changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) regarding mental and behavioral services increased the ability for people with these health concerns to gain insurance coverage and acquire the appropriate services needed (Beronio, K., Frank, R., Glied, S., 2014). Along with these changes to coverage, the ACA emphasizes the integration of services among healthcare agencies. With the passing of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) in 2004, funding was provided to counties in California. San Francisco’s Department of Public Health (SFDPH)

Mental health policymakers overlooked the difficulty of finding resources to meet the needs of a marginalized group of people living in scattered sites in the community. Implications of changes in financing will need to be measured and unsuspected responses should be assessed promptly when they occur. A shortage of community resources will eventually mean that it may be necessary to preserve institutional beds primarily until community care is expanded. Structure in an important consumer role in policymaking, monitoring and evaluation has proven to be a valuable source of input in mental health policy advocacy. Particularly in politics who review the demographic pressure on long-term care services establishments. Deinstitutionalization accelerated nationwide due to the federal government in the late 1960s and 1970s. During this time Medicaid and Medicare were created with coverage for a range of services including components of the mental health field. Supplemental Security Income also made an appearance for the mentally ill. (Koyanagi, 2007)

As we see this trend continue to play out, we have noticed a spike in incarceration and homelessness of those suffering with mental health and substance abuse issues (Marroquin, 2016). Unfortunately, the bill fails to address these issues. While access to mental health services is increased due to this bill, many prisoners, and homeless people, who lack a stable income and health insurance, cannot get the help that they need. One statistic that I found particularly alarming in the State of Mental Health in America: 2017 is that more than half of all people incarcerated in jails or prisons have a mental health disorder. This bill does not do enough to address that issue. We should be doing more to help criminals who suffer from mental illness. Locking them up is not effective. One way we could enact change through legislation is by increasing funding for programs such as the Assertive Community Treatment, which aims to reduce incarceration time. The Real Diversion program could also be expanded. This would keep criminals suffering from mental illness out of jail by pleading guilty to their crimes and then getting help for their problems. Homelessness and incarceration are not the only issues brushed over by the Mental Health Reform Act 2016. So is age. One limitation of the bill is Sec. 202 of Title ii, which states that federal payment through Title XIX of the Social Security Act will be given out to people aged 21 through 65 “receiving inpatient treatment in institutions for mental diseases,” (Mental Health Reform Act 2016). What makes this section of the bill limiting is the age restriction. As pointed out by the State of Mental Health in America: 2017, 66% of youth with Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) do not get treatment for their disorder, and this may be due to the lack of federal funding of inpatient care at institutions for mental

Mental health affects many public policy areas, such as a passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA), which aims to increase the drug coverage for seniors. Continued expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is by increasing the public insurance coverage for children.

This article presents a policy analysis of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. It focuses mainly on the impact of the new legislation on the existing state parity laws. 54 million Americans are impacted by mental health issues each year costing the United States nearly $100 billion dollars annually (Marth, 2009). In relation to Mental Health coverage prior to the new legislations; individuals did not receive coverage similar to other physical and surgical medical treatments. As a result of inadequate treatment, this particular population can sometimes lead to unhealthy lifestyles and habits. The cost of Mental Health services and treatment can be extremely expensive including coy-payments, treatment visits, and other resources. However, this

However, many individuals who may be mentally infirm or were committed to a psychiatric facility could keep on being fit for directing and controlling their own medical care, including the privilege to consent to treatment or to refuse treatment; legal requirements vary with jurisdiction, so physicians should be generally familiar with the applicable mental health legislation in their

The policy I will be analysing is called The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act (MHPAEA) of 2008. This act requires the same level of benefits for substance use treatment and mental services as one would receive for medical care from their health insurance. The MHPAEA’s requirements were expanded by the Affordable Care Act that some health insurance plans should cover mental health and substance abuse treatment and services. This act will allow many social workers to treat more patients with low incomes and that have substance use disorders. It can further aid to impoverished substance abusers that normally would not be able to receive treatment.

An aspect of healthcare that gets woefully underserved in our current times is mental health. Recent economic struggles all over the country has resulted in mental health budgets getting slashed. Mental health programs have been curtailed and many facilities permanently shut down. This has resulted in devastating effects on people that greatly rely on mental health services to remain healthy and productive citizens.

Mental Health has been recognized, as the well-being at which individuals are able to cope with everyday stresses, and work productively while contributing back to their community. Mental Health America began in the early 1900’s by Clifford W. Beers, a former psychiatric patient who experienced mental/physical abuse during his stay in public and private institutions. It wasn’t until short after a reform group emerged, to stand against the abuse and ill-treatment at these institutions. In this paper, I will be discussing the history/background of Mental Health Services, and how quality, access, cost or other factors have changed (or how they haven’t). I also will be discussing the populations that benefit from this type of service and the significant issues, and or problems within the area that impact specific populations. Lastly, I will interpret national policy, legislation, attitudes, political climate, and how they impact or relate to the problems discussed, then I will address two current issues discussed along with clarifying each discussion.