Introducing "The Rundown," a news briefing on mental health and substance use care.
Path Forward
Giving mental healthcare the brightest possible future | Network Adequacy | Collaborative Care | Measurement-Based Care
Hi,
I’m honored to share a new resource from Path Forward, a philanthropic initiative led by The Goodness Web.
Today, we launch “The Rundown,” which curates essential news on expanding equitable access to mental health and substance use care from employers, clinicians, treatment organizations, and every other part of the healthcare ecosystem.
I invite you to take a look below and subscribe.
Kindly,
Anna Bobb, M.P.H. Executive Director Path Forward
IN THIS ISSUE
Path Forward Launches “The Rundown”
What to Know: Introducing “The Rundown” brought to you by Path Forward—a philanthropic initiative that brings together a powerful assembly of members into one voice to scale the policies and practices that will drive equitable access to mental health and substance use care. Our members are:
Takeaway: Our members purchase health benefits for tens of millions of Americans and advocate for thousands of clinicians and treatment organizations. Together, they represent all facets of the mental health and substance use care ecosystem.
National Council for Mental Wellbeing Joins Path Forward
What to Know: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) has joined Path Forward.
Takeaway: NCMW brings the indispensable perspective of specialty care providers to our coalition and drives policy and social change for more than 3,400 specialty mental health and substance use treatment provider members.
Meadows Institute and National Council for Mental Wellbeing Visit Capitol Hill
What to Know: Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and the National Council visited Capitol Hill to support Measurement-Based Care. The Alliance for Patient Access joined them.
Takeaway: Fewer than 20% of behavioral health providers repeatedly measure symptoms to gauge patient progress. The team reported on incentives and policies that will speed the use of measurement in behavioral healthcare so it’s treated just like every other common chronic condition.
APA, AIMS Center and Meadows Institute Host CoCM Conference
What to Know: Over 100 faculty members and residents gathered in Washington, DC, in June to participate in the 3rd Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Residency Training Education Conference.
Takeaway: These CoCM training conferences—plus APA’s online modules—have trained over 5000 providers in the CoCM.
RTI International Report Reveals Network Disparities
What to Know: The report revealed that patients went out-of-network 3.5 times more often to see a behavioral health clinician than a medical/surgical clinician in 2021 and up to 20 times more often for certain behavioral health visits.
Takeaway: The Federal Parity Law requires equal treatment for behavioral and physical health. It’s essential that Americans can access affordable in-network care for mental health and substance use conditions—as they can for other health conditions.
MEMBERS
Path Forward is a coalition that scales targeted reforms and policies across all health system stakeholders to achieve equitable access for all Americans.