Future of Behavioral Health in Light of Healthcare Reform

Posted by on April 21, 2014

PSIJ to focus on behavioral health reform

The implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 place mental health, for the first time, at the forefront of healthcare financing issues in parity with prevention and primary healthcare.

For many years there has been a separation of the mind from the body, both from a philosophical and the practice perspective. This division has led to a dichotomy in care provided to individuals with behavioral health needs (whether recovery or treatment models), in addition to payment methods for services received. Yet, mental health constitutes a major chronic illness and a significant healthcare expenditure totaling more than $125 billion in federal dollars a year (not counting some level of private and commercial dollars). Many suggest that there are serious dysfunctions in the behavioral health system and that the new integration of primary care and behavioral health may present answers in assuring a more responsive and coherent system of care.

The Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal (PSIJ) is taking a closer look at how the mental health system under broad healthcare reform will need to adjust to become integrated with primary care and the medical model. In addition, it will discuss the programmatic, educational, philosophical and policy challenges and opportunities for innovation that will come along with this mental health paradigm shift.

The new edition of the PSIJ will be launched at an event on Monday, April 28th at WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street in Philadelphia, from 1-4pm. (reception follows at 4pm).

To register, go here.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-launch-future-of-behavioral-health-in-light-of-healthcare-reform-tickets-10826483303