(Chicago, IL) — Substance use disorder and mental health services must receive equitable coverage in the implementation of health care reform, according to the Coalition for Whole Health, a group of national organizations that seek improved coverage for and access to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery services. TASC is an active member of the Coalition.
Based the standards of the National Quality Forum and other extensively researched protocols and evidence-based practices, the Coalition recommends that under the Affordable Care Act (health care reform), the essential health benefits package must minimally include the benefits outlined below:
- Mental health and substance use disorder assessment, placement, and treatment
- Laboratory services, including drug testing
- Emergency services, including crisis services and hospital-based detoxification services
- Pharmacotherapy and medication-assisted treatment
- Rehabilitative, habilitative, and recovery support services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Maternal and newborn services, including screening and brief interventions for maternal depression and substance use disorders and referral to treatment
- Pediatric services, including screening for substance use, suicide risk, and other mental health problems
As a significant step toward creating a healthy and just society, TASC supports these recommendations for improved coverage and access to care. To read the Coalition’s recommendations in full, please click here.
To find additional resources and webinars on the coverage of substance use disorder and mental health services under health care reform, please visit the Legal Action Center’s page on National Healthcare Reform.
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