Beyond the Community Mental Health Service Improvement Act
As demand for mental health and addictions treatment grows, insurance coverage must be preserved and expanded. It’s critical that we preserve the guarantee of Medicaid coverage for low income, disabled Americans. Commercial parity must be passed; Medicare parity must follow; and if we accept what research is teaching us–that addictions are chronic, relapsing conditions that require ongoing monitoring and management, just like diabetes, asthma, and yes like mental illnesses–then we must act. We must lead the fight to restore eligibility for social security disability for people with addiction disorders.
Data collected by non-profit organizations documents increased demand and increased numbers of uninsured. States reallocated their general fund mental health dollars to the Medicaid match. And now state plans to cover the uninsured are floundering. This leaves large numbers of individuals with treatable mental illnesses in our overburdened emergency rooms and without access to the services that can engage them, treat them, and return them to work.
We’re denying our economy productive taxpayers. We’re wasting human lives. We must introduce and champion a federal funding stream to cover the mental health and addictions treatment costs of the uninsured.
The Community Mental Health Service Improvement Act begins to address our workforce crisis, but it’s just a beginning.
We cannot stand by and watch our best and brightest become plastic surgeons and investment bankers. Skilled staff demands adequate compensation. We must be attractive to leaders that reflect the diversity of our communities. And we can’t allow people with serious mental illnesses or addictions to wait for weeks and months for an appointment with a psychiatrist. We must be clear and forceful advocates for cost based reimbursement that supports salaries that can attract and retain skilled staff.
If we truly want to narrow the gap between science and service, we must stop investing in manuals and planning grants, and start investing in retooling the organizations that deliver services.
We must preserve, strengthen and expand the mental health and addictions treatment capacity in this country. But it has not been and it will not be easy.
We are part of a healthcare system that reflects the American belief in the marketplace. A healthcare system that talks universal coverage but hates taxes. A healthcare system that resists cost containment, counting on disease management and prevention for savings, although so far they show little evidence of delivering savings. A healthcare system that’s promoting “medical homes” as the newest cost saving strategy, confusing a strategy to improve the quality of care with one that saves money.
But we do know something about saving money. Pioneering studies are telling us that there are enormous disparities in healthcare expenditures from one region of our country to another, with no difference in healthcare outcomes. If the entire nation could bring its costs down to match the lower spending regions, we would cut 20 to 30 percent off America’s healthcare bill. Most of the difference in spending is for hospital care. Hospitalization, including inpatient psychiatric care, is a vital intervention that must be available but in many communities we can do better.
If we’re serious about improving consumer outcomes, point of service is where improvement will occur.
Watch the video related to health services
www.mid-day.com The all-India bandh called by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and led by Bharatiya Janata Party over price rise has not only crippled the commercial capital of India, but also the sick and dead. Story & Video By – Vinod Kumar Menon, MiD-DAY
Help answer the question about health services
How are the health services in the state of Mississippi ?I have been reading and hearing about Mississippi's health problems from having the highest obesity rate to polluted drinking water. I wondered are these issues are being improved in the state and what the medicial services are like in some of the major cities, e.g. Jackson, MS ?
I am already on medication for both BiPolar and anxiety, so I suppose that talk therapy about the causes of my episodes would be helpful, too.
It's never a mistake to try. Whether you qualify depends on your county. Usually there are some public mental health programs. For some, you have to be on public assistance. It depends a lot on where you are. I think you are in CA because you reference a CA police code. Look for the number for mental health services in your county. If they say you don't qualify, ask for referrals to other low cost providers- they should have phone numbers.
Consider looking outside of public services, too. Often, clinics associated with universities will offer discounted/sliding scale services. Some non-profits also offer sliding scale fees. I worked for a CA non-profit in the high desert that offered services by intern therapists (Master's trained) for $1 a session.
Perhaps you can go to one of the community health clinics and set up free screenings and educational programs. Perhaps at one of the childrens centers, you could educate the young on nutritional programs, excercise, etc. (obesity is a problem) through the use of a "show" or have some volunteers start a softball league, peewee football etc. Show them the positive fun of excercise and better nutrition. Get them while they are young! This will abate long term health problems.
My son is a doctor too, so you go and make this a better, healthier world!! Congratulations on your choice of careers, and yes, you can make a difference!!!
MANY,HECK, ABOUT ALL OF THE CITIES AND COUNTIES IN MI HAVE FREE COUNSELING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS!!!!!! CHECK YOUR YELLOW PAGES AND OR CITY DIRECTORY!!!!!!!!!!!
healthquotes.awardspace.info – here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.
Begin with your local health department. They can refer you to reputable agencies that can help you.
Good Luck!
Don't feel so bad about it. The fact that you recognize that you have a problem means that you're sane! It's okay to consult an expert to know what is happening to you. Below are the sources that I think can help you find a good institution. You can also browse the yellow pages or ask for the help of your friends to make your burden lighter. Good luck.
First of all it would help to know how old you are.
But next in you phone book-guessing you live in the states, look up Dept of Mental Health. Call the number given and ask for the Director of Mental Health Services for you area of the state, most states are divided into areas. Next explain you have no insurance and you are in need of mental health services, most all states have agencies that work on a sliding scale. Also some states actually have a hot line that will help you if you need immediate help and I don't mean hospitalization. If that fails to work you can read my profile and if you feel safe e-mail me and I'll see what I can do for the state you live in. God Bless Reggie
Only a criminal record will show up. The sentencing should not show up. If a a record (conviction) is found, It is public record and is available if searched for.