How does mental health care fit into President Obamas health care reform initiative?
Mental health care and physical health care are inseparable. Health care reform should include mental health care reform. During the 2008 campaign, the President expressed support for mental health needs. The President’s health care proposals emphasize preventive care and equity. That should include preventing unnecessary hospitalizations, homelessness, and other costly outcomes that result in the existing mental health care system. The President’s proposals also include collection of cost and outcome data to support cost-effective, evidence-based practices. That’s consistent with a main theme of the report. Health care reform is an opportunity to help transform the mental health care system. The federal government has a role to play. The states cannot do it alone.
