Loads of us know that there is an unfortunate dual cr of increased demand and service reduction.
Whenever relying on services delivered by the safety net, approximately 5 million people with serious mental disorders, individuals with major addiction disorders and homeless persons will remain uninsured.
Coverage expansion under healthcare reform will result in 5 million new patients entering the public safety net for mental health and addictions treatment, that already struggles to care for 8 million+ children and adults. Persons with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression die, on average, at the age of 53 -the highest death rate among any population served by any agency of the United States Public Health Service.
Essentially, another public health emergency was highlighted throughout the policy briefing. Time has come for parity between community behavioral health and identical parts of America’s safety net including public hospitals and Community Health Centers.