Mass. mental health chief: State must speak out for services
The Baker administration's mental health chief told lawmakers last Thursday that the "bully pulpit," as much as any change in state law, will be needed to improve parity for mental health services in the Massachusetts health care system.
"We have to have a bottom-line expectation that commercial and other insurers will belly up, step up and make sure there is adequacy in their networks. It's a bully pulpit. I'm not sure how much of it is legal. It's about an expectation," Mental Health Commissioner Joan Mikula said.
Mikula testified before the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse on Thursday during an oversight hearing on mental health issues facing the state. Parity for mental health services compared to other physical health treatments has been a buzz phrase on Beacon Hill for years as policymakers face pressure to ensure adequate access for residents of all ages to mental health services.
Mikula, without being specific, said there is legislation pending "worth your consideration," but emphasized the need to bring providers and insurers together without new legal mandates to improve access.
Rep. Carole Fiola, a Fall River Democrat, asked Mikula about the "scarcity of providers" in southeastern Massachusetts that makes it difficult even for patients with insurance coverage to get an appointment with a mental health specialist.
"I do feel we have some responsibility to be a part of the solution on that," Mikula said. "We need to get licensed providers to accept all insurance. The lack of willingness to engage for all of the reasons related to the rate structure and administrative burdens is a problem. We have to figure it out."
Fiola and Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, of Pittsfield, also stressed the need to develop more mental health training and services through the school systems, and finding a way to pay for it.
Mikula said a small group of officials, including Department of Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber, have been "caucusing" to discuss ways to improve mental health services in schools, and described Webber's commitment to the issue as "strong."
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