Health care policy - Coursework Example

Health Care Policy: Mental Health Parity Health Care Policy: Mental Health Parity For decades, nurses have drafted and supported mental health parity policies that are designed to ensure that mental health patients receive adequate access to relevant services so that they can manage their conditions. Since the 1960s, nurses – under the banner of the American Nurses Association – have raised concerns over the neglect of the mental health segment while other health sectors are almost guaranteed funding and attention (Walker, 2014).

In the association’s Health System Reform Agenda (2008), mental health parity was given enough coverage to attract the interest of lawmakers, health campaigners, and private health providers. Consequently, the health care model of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ensured that mental health parity was both protected and guaranteed (Rich, 2013). In 2009, Rep. Patrick Kennedy led a successful legislative endeavor to assure mental health parity (Rich, 2013). Due to Kennedy’s efforts, the legislation was integrated into the Affordable Care Act, which stipulated a basic benefits policy guaranteeing sufficient health services, including mental health privileges.

Effective 2011, the ACA also introduced a new Medicaid state package option to allow subscribers with at least one critical and long-term mental health condition to nominate a mental health services provider as a health home (Rich, 2013). Effective October 2011 to December 2015, the ACA prescribed a novel demonstration initiative to pledge Medicaid remittances to mental health service providers for adult subscribers who need containment of exigent conditions. Based on a provision that became effective in 2010, the ACA facilitates the establishment of inter and multidisciplinary mental and behavioral health orientation initiatives (Walker, 2014).

Finally, the ACA promotes the creation of orientation programs that concentrate on primary care frameworks that incorporate mental and physical health amenities. Funds for this provision started in 2010 and are slated to end in December 2015 (Rich, 2013). ReferencesRich, V. (2013). Affordable Care Act, accountable Care, and nurse leaders. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 37(2), 169-170. doi:10.1097/NAQ.0b013e3182869e55Walker, C. (2014). The Affordable Care Act and mental health services. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 52(9), 3-4. doi:10.3928/02793695-20140813-01