Capital Offensive: Consumers, Advocates Urge DC Support for Mental Health
Posted 06/11/2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- June 10, 2009 – Like so many people and organizations before them, representatives from Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group arrived at Capitol Hill on Wednesday with hands extended.
The difference, as CEO Morris L. Roth explained to Colorado Democratic Senator Mark Udall, is that Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group wasn’t there for a handout.
Rather, it was looking for a handshake — a “partnership” that will help provide better mental health solutions to a growing number of Coloradans in need, especially the state’s military men and women and their families.
“We’d like to be a partner,” Udall responded. “And an advocate.”
Udall was one of four Colorado delegates who spent time with Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group representatives discussing national and local issues. Staff, consumers and a board member were in Washington D.C. with 350 people from other mental health care organizations from 40 states for the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (NCCBH) “Hill Day.”
“Americans are living in the harshest economy in years and our safety net is in danger of collapsing,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the NCCBH. “Healthcare reform must give Americans access to the care they need — effective mental health and addiction services keep us strong, safe and productive.”
Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group representatives also met with Democratic Senator Michael Bennet as well as Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-5th District (El Paso, Teller, Park, Fremont, Chaffee, Lake counties) and Rep. Michael Coffman, R-6th District (Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert, Park, Jefferson counties).
Democratic Senator Michael Bennet address the contingent from Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (NCCBH) on "Hill Day.”
Consumers Connie and Jennifer captivated the members of Congress with their personal stories of success through the Pathways ACCESS Center. “It’s nothing short of a miracle that I am here,” said Jennifer, who suffered from depression, substance abuse and thoughts of suicide for decades before turning her life around.
Connie also urged the delegates to ensure that mental health issues aren’t forgotten as Congress attempts to reform healthcare this summer.
“I don’t want to die 25 years early,” she said, referring to the life expectancy discrepancy of persons with mental illness.
Veteran advocates and Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group friends Mark and Marshele Waddell talked about the importance of supporting and helping to expand Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group’s Peer Navigator Program, which helps our wounded warriors transition back into society.
'I don’t want to die 25 years early'
- Connie (client), referring to the life expectancy discrepancy
of persons with mental illness.
With thousands more soldiers with combat stress disorders coming to nearby Fort Carson, it’s going to be like a “flood through a funnel,” Mark Waddell said, explaining how the Army will not be able to handle the influx of mental health patients.
“Colorado’s finest are the ones to do this in the private sector,” he said.
Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group representatives also discussed the economic, social and human costs of mental health and addictions disorders with members of Congress. According to NCCBH:
- Mental illness drains our economy of more than $80 billion every year -- 15 percent of the total cost of all disease.
- Alcohol and drug abuse contributes to the death of more than 100,000 Americans and costs more than $500 billion a year.
- 25 percent of all Social Security disability payments are for individuals with mental illness.
“Congress is faced with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure significant additional resources for our nation’s mental health and addiction treatment systems,” said Chuck Ingoglia, the National Council’s vice president, public policy. “For people in a psychiatric crisis and in desperate need, we cannot afford to let this historic opportunity pass.”
To prepare for a new era of healthcare accountability while attempting to stem the escalating mortality rates of people with serious mental illnesses, the National Council is pursuing four initiatives:
- Mental Health and Substance-Use Disorders Included in Benefit Packages: Mental health and substance abuse benefits must be part of any nationwide healthcare reform plan, with equitable insurance coverage for mental health and addiction disorders on par with other health conditions.
- “Federally Qualified” Behavioral Health Centers: Create a national standard of evidence-based treatment and supports for persons with mental illnesses and addiction disorders, with reimbursement based upon the cost of delivering services.
- Co-location of Primary Care in Community Behavioral Health Organizations: Enable persons with serious mental illness to benefit from one-stop, comprehensive care for behavioral and physical conditions under one roof.
- Health Insurance Technology Funding: Ensure that community behavioral health organizations are eligible for any federal health information technology funding made available to help physicians, hospitals and community health centers adopt and use electronic health records.
Also attending from Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group were board member Dr. Carolena Steen, chief operating officers Kelly Phillips-Henry, Psy.D., and Paul Sexton, and Jonathan Liebert, Stacey Burns and Kevin Porter.
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