Module 2- Critical Thinking

As much success as human rights campaigns have seen in recent history, there is still much more that needs to be done to ensure that the basic human rights of all individuals are granted and ensured. Both discriminated and stigmatized, individuals suffering from any kind of mental illness have seen little support through federal policy. A large piece of this discrimination is related to Medicaid laws and treatment. Current Medicare laws dictate the length of stay in a psychiatric setting an individual may obtain, despite what may be medically or clinically necessary. In doing so, individuals with mental illness are forced to cope with their disorders often without proper treatment.

In addition to shortened stays, shortage of federal funds has also closed down several psychiatric hospitals. Therefore, not only is the quantity of an individual’s stay compromised, but the quality is as well. Basically, there are very few options for individuals with Medicaid or the underinsured.

Private insurances offer more to individuals with mental illness. Following the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are mandated to provide equal physical and mental health coverage.

So where does this leave Medicaid consumers? Clearly they are being discriminated against for not only their income, but their mental health status as well. Individuals with other treatable diseases such as asthma or diabetes rarely, if ever, receive this kind of discrimination. So why must policy treat mental illness so differently?

USA Today published a fantastic article about this exact subject highlighting the experience of those suffering from mental illness. 

http://www.usatoday.com/longform/news/nation/2014/06/25/stigma-of-mental-illness/9875351/

Policy Brief Topic

Topic: Access to substance abuse treatment services for the uninsured or the underinsured.

Working in a substance abuse agency that does not accept insurance, I am able to gain a different perspective on the substance abuse treatment field. Insurance is gold. Without, it becomes extremely difficult for a client to obtain the care they may need. Most times, individuals must have some kind of involvement with the courts or the legal system to obtain necessary treatment. If an individual does not have insurance, is not on probation or has no other legal issues, it is almost impossible for them to receive treatment without the use of grants or public funds. Additionally, there is typically a small window of opportunity during which an individual with a substance use disorder will ask for help prior to relapse and re engaging in use. If we are to best assist these individuals and help them save their lives, it is imminent that they receive care during that very small window. Should an individual be shut down or turned away from treatment as a result of lack of funding, lack of health insurance, or scarcity of recourses, that window closes, putting that person in even more risk of loosing their life. Addiction does not discriminate. For that reason, I see it as our job as clinicians to ensure that the quality of care does not discriminate either. As part of this policy brief, I will look a the Expanding Opportunities for Recovery Act 2014, which focuses on the access to substance abuse treatment.