The Colorado Sun | 8/8/24 | Jennifer Brown

Larimer County’s Mental Health Center Lays Off 75 People, Blames Rise in Uninsured and Medicaid Reform

It’s hardly surprising that safety-net mental health centers are feeling the loss of Medicaid coverage for 600,000 Coloradans in the span of about a year, said Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado.

“It’s an earthquake that takes a segment out of a highway,” he said. “It’s a crisis for sure.”

Atchity, who advocated for payment reform and more transparency in public spending on community mental health centers, said it’s likely there is “some seismic shifting that occurs when a system is flipping itself as much as this.”

But it’s unclear this early on in the transformation why some mental health centers are “complaining vociferously” about the new payment system while “others are shrugging their shoulders.”

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With the upcoming election, many people feel anxious about the uncertainty of the future. One empowering step is to register to vote. A second step is to encourage others to register too. It gives us the agency to influence future outcomes and support candidates who align with our values and aspirations.

Find information on how to register to vote here!

Recent updates in national policy and legislation related to mental health reflect a continued push to improve access to care and ensure parity between mental and physical health services. Here are some of the key developments:

1. Strengthening Mental Health Parity: The Biden-Harris Administration proposed new rules to enforce the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). These rules aim to ensure that mental health and substance use disorder benefits are provided at the same level as medical benefits by health plans. This includes evaluating health plans to ensure they don't impose more restrictive measures on mental health services, such as prior authorization or out-of-network fees, compared to physical health services. The proposed rule also addresses loopholes that previously allowed non-federal governmental health plans to avoid compliance with MHPAEA (The White House,Healthcare Law Insights).
2. Expanding Behavioral Health Care Access: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized policies for 2024 that focus on increasing access to behavioral health care. This includes expanding the categories of essential community providers, such as Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers and Mental Health Facilities, to ensure they are adequately represented in health plan networks. Additionally, new rules simplify the enrollment process for health coverage, making it easier for those who lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage to transition to Marketplace plans (HHS.gov).
3. Legislative Advocacy and Funding: The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed the fiscal year 2025 budget, which includes significant investments in mental health programs. This budget supports the Collaborative Care Model, which integrates primary and behavioral health care, and increases funding for maternal mental health programs and mental health research initiatives. These efforts indicate strong bipartisan support for continued investment in behavioral health services (Home,NASMHPD).
4. Advocacy for Medicare and CHIP Reforms: The American Psychiatric Association (APA), in collaboration with the American Medical Association (AMA), advocated for reforms to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). These efforts are aimed at securing greater financial stability for physicians and ensuring that mental health services are adequately compensated under Medicare (Home).
5. 988 Crisis Hotline Expansion: The ongoing implementation of the 988-crisis hotline has seen further developments in August 2024. The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) continues to work on expanding the resources and support structures tied to the 988 hotline. This includes enhancing crisis response systems across states to provide immediate support for mental health emergencies (NASMHPD).

These numbers tell a powerful story of advocacy, commitment, and action. Every testimony, every advocate's voice, and every email sent to legislators has played a critical role in shaping policies that directly affect the health landscape across Colorado.

None of this would be possible without your continued support. Your donations and contributions directly fund the advocacy efforts that make these numbers a reality. With every dollar, we can amplify our voice, reach more people, and create lasting change. Together, we are passing laws, changing practices, and building a movement to promote healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans!

October 11^th & 12^th

10:00am - 1:30pm & 1:30pm - 5:00pm

We are seeking volunteers to assist with outreach at the 2024 Psycon Psychedelic Convention at the Colorado Convention Center. Join us to learn and share Mental Health Colorado’s commitment to exploring alternative pathways to healing with natural medicines.

All volunteers will enjoy free admission to the convention and time to explore exhibits and seminars outside of their volunteer hours!
 

Sign Up to Volunteer Here