NRS 428VN Concepts in Community and Public Health

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Running head: POLICY BRIEF: MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE Policy Brief: Mental Health Coverage DeNita R. Stroud Grand Canyon University: NRS: 428VN Concepts in Community and Public Health February 28, 2... 020 1 This study source was downloaded by 100000831988016 from CourseHero.com on 04-30-2022 15:18:44 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/56255954/Policy-Brief-Strouddocx/ POLICY BRIEF MENTAL HEALTH COVERVAGE Policy Brief: Mental Health Coverage Mental health issues plague several million Americans. The Affordable Care Act attempted to standardize insurance coverage for those affected. With pressure from insurance companies, that coverage has been plagued since its conception. Providers are having issues procuring needed medications for their patients through insurance. Developing a comprehensive coverage plan is needed. Policy Health Issue Mental health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community" (American Health Association, 2020). Mental health affects millions of women, men and children. There is no cookie-cutter face of mental health. Each person deals with stress in different capacities and that variance in coping can lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms leading to risky behavior; e.g. smoking, unprotected sex, suicidal ideations, and financial irresponsibility. Medication, counseling or inpatient treatment may be needed. The National Institute on Mental Health (NIH) reports nearly one in five U.S. adults live with any mental illness or severe mental illness; 46.6 million in 2017 ("NIMH » Mental Illness," n.d.). Common factors hindering treatment are low perceived needs, stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness, lack of awareness about the available services, inability to afford the treatment cost and lack of effective treatment (Luitel, Garman, Jordans & Lund, 2019. pp. 2. para.1). Coverage for this issue has not been fully supported by the healthcare providers. The Affordable Care Act (ACA, 2010) has provided a provision that makes pre-existing conditions; such as mental health disorders, mandatory coverage by insurance companies. Also, making 2 This study source was downloaded by 100000831988016 from CourseHero.com on 04-30-2022 15:18:44 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/56255954/Policy-Brief-Strouddocx/ POLICY BRIEF MENTAL HEALTH COVERVAGE mental health coverage equal to common medical services ("Patient protection and Affordable Care Act," 2009. SEC. 1302. Essential health benefits requirements, pp. 105, section B:1: E). Problem Statement Congress adopted legislation intended to impose parity in health coverage for mental health services (Repeal of ACA, 2015). Parity is the state or condition of being equal, especially regarding status or pay ("Parity," n.d.). In 2013, the Obama administration implemented a law requiring health plans to have the same deductibles, cost-sharing and coverage limits for mental health services as offered for medical and surgical services (Repeal of ACA, 2015). With the repeal of ACA, the idea of parity is ineffective. There is no backbone of policy and law to support the continued treatment and coverage for mental health services; as a result, many will lose coverage How could we fix it? Defining the effects on Americans with mental health issues can have on healthcare long term should be examined. The cost of treating mental health disorders will seem paltry in comparison of treating the diseases in its wake; alcoholism, HIV/AIDs, acute health conditions that have become chronic due to the patient’s lack of ability to care for themselves. We should also examine cost to the justice system; in regard to, criminal activity and acts of violence performed by Americans struggling with mental health. The American Public Health Association makes several recommendations for reform of mental health coverage. They suggest stricter enforcement and transparency of requirements and implementations, comprehensive parity law in all states, monies to provide and train mental health parity navigators to detect violations and work with insurance companies on compliance. Also, incentives for people entering the mental health field and increased investment in 3 This study source was downloaded by 100000831988016 from CourseHero [Show More]

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