Mental Health Update | We believe in sharing valued information, especially when it comes to people getting the mental health care that they need.
This past week on the site 'Fierce Health Payer', once again the playing field for those in need isn't helping all that are truly in need.
from the article:
[Almost 4 million people with severe mental illness will remain uninsured because 24 states have refused to expand Medicaid, according to a report from the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA).
Conversely, the states that are expanding Medicaid have helped about 3 million people with serious mental illness, psychological distress or a substance abuse disorder to obtain insurance.
"Health insurance is the passkey to good, timely healthcare services, and state policymakers in 25 states are locking people out of the system," AMHCA Executive Director Joel Miller said in a statement.
"It is really a tragedy," Miller told Stateline. "When uninsured people with mental health conditions, such as depression, gain Medicaid coverage, they become healthier and life expectancy increases, but in states that refuse to expand Medicaid, citizens will see their hopes dashed for a better life and better health."
Among the nonexpansion states, Indiana has the most mentally ill residents (62 percent) who would have been eligible for Medicaid, while Georgia has the fewest Medicaid-eligible adults with mental health conditions (27 percent), the report found.
What's more, several states are dramatically lowering their funding for community mental health programs. Between 2009 and 2012, mental health spending dropped by a total of $4.35 billion, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors estimated.]
As the affordable care act begins to build its following and create a hopefully different culture for mental health care (as well as all health care), the fact that we are changing is good, working towards a society that provides value and care to those in need is a moving target.
Because Minnesota did decide to expand its Medicaid program, you can qualify for Medicaid if you earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. In 2014, that’s about $16,100 for a single person, or $32,900 for a family of four.
