List date(s) this work was published or aired.
18-Jul-11
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The behavioral health community is becoming involved in helping states implement health insurance changes to ensure that consumers with behavioral health issues can access appropriate services. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that by Jan. 1, 2014, states establish health insurance exchanges for individuals and small businesses to shop for and purchase affordable health insurance. The field is mobilizing their efforts by sitting on state insurance task force and advisory boards. Sidebar information included two states, Maryland and Kansas, making important strides in developing health exchanges.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Information that helped provide background for the story included: •Center for American Program released a report addressing health insurance exchanges. •Information about U.S. HHS proposes a framework to assist states in building affordable insurance exchanges. (Information featured in press release and received from New York Psychiatric Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services.) •George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services released report in May, “State Behavioral Health Agencies and the ACA.”
Explain types of human sources used.
•Joel Miller, Senior Director of Policy and Healthcare Reform , National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), addressed this issue from a national perspective. •Keith Maley, HHS spokesperson, noted that once the regulations were officially published, the public must comment 75 days from that date. •Anna Lambertson, executive director of the Kansas Health Consumer Coalition, discussed how state officials are planning their exchanges. •Mohini Venkatesh, senior director of public policy for the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, discussed HHS proposed regulations and what it means for community mental health and addiction treatment providers. •Charles Milligan, deputy director of Health Care Financing for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, discussed how the state plans to operate its health exchange program.
Results:
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Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
NA
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
When addressing stories of national significance on the behavioral health community, for example, it’s important to obtain the perspective from a variety of sources, such as advocates, state officials and at least one national leader.