Healthcare Reform

Enacted on March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (Pub.L. 111-148) is expected to expand health care coverage to an additional 32 million citizens and legal immigrants by 2019 through a combination of state-based private insurance exchanges and a Medicaid expansion. In addition, the new law includes a number of reforms to curb harmful insurance company practices as well as provisions to slow the growth of health care costs and improve quality of care. 

2011 Annual Conference Highlights

The 2011 Mental Health America Conference held at the Hyatt Regency from June 9th - 11th featured a healthcare reform advocacy track that included four sessions on:

• Health Reform
• State Exchanges
• Medicaid Expansion
• Advocacy Strategies

A summary of the presentations and downloadable powerpoints can be found here.   

Health Care Reform Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to help advocates understand how the Affordable Care Act impacts the behavioral health community, and gives strategies for becoming involved in implementation activities in your state by engaging your legislators, Governor, mental health commissioner, and other key stakeholders.

• Issue Brief - A Summary of Provisions and Advocacy Strategies for Behavioral Health Advocates
• Strategy Brief - Getting Involved in Your State
• Fact Sheet - State Insurance Exchanges
• Fact Sheet - Medicaid Expansion
• Talking Points - Gaining Support for the Implementation of Health Reform
• Sample Op-Ed - Gaining Support for the Implementation of Health Reform
• Additional Resources

WEBINAR: Mental Health in Health Reform - Using MHA's Toolkit

 Information from the webinar held on January 12, 2011, entitled, "WEBINAR: Mental Health in Health Reform - Using MHA's Toolkit" is now available:

• Download the Webinar Power Point Presentation or view below
Download the Windows Media File

Parity and Health Care Reform: Important Changes for Behavioral Health

View the July 8, 2010 webinar on Parity and Health Care Reform
download the PowerPoint

The Health Care Reform Law

Learn how the Affordable Care Act will affect mental health and substance use treatment and services. download PDF

Questions?

Please contact the MHA Public Policy & Advocacy Staff