We face a national crisis on mental health.
We continue to face a mental and behavioral health (MBH) and addiction crisis in the United States, and at a time when more Americans than ever before need support –
- Consumers and families lack information and agency to identify what services they need nor the confidence that when they do get support, it is high quality and will have the outcomes they seek.
- Health plans and Purchasers lack clarity on what services yield the right outcomes and how to comply with mental health parity rules.
- We face an increasingly acute lack of access to licensed, qualified behavioral health professionals, outcomes-driven models of care, and innovative treatment solutions.
- Despite coverage, reimbursement remains inadequate or impeded for critical high-value services and treatments
Our theory of change takes on a systems approach.
Supported by a Data Collaborative of national delivery and cost data and analytics, our three-pronged approach to MBH system transformation includes:
- Alignment for Progress – convening stakeholders to achieve consensus on high quality services and treatments to drive payment and systems transformation.
- Action for Progress – harnessing our collective power to force policy change, enabling system transformation and sustainability
- Invest for Progress – guiding investment and innovation for greatest social good and impact.
We need policymakers to take action for progress.
A Multi-Pronged Advocacy Strategy for Policy Impact
Action for Progress advances a coordinated advocacy strategy to drive meaningful change in behavioral health. At the federal and state levels, we engage in direct lobbying, reinvigorate policy champions, and target influential bodies like the Senate Finance Committee, House Mental Health Caucus, and the White House—including planning for a national Mental Health Summit. We focus our advocacy where it can have the greatest impact. As part of our broader strategy to influence the political process, we engage in coordinated efforts to raise funds, promote key issues, and support leaders who champion them. This includes mobilizing consumers, providers, and businesses through grassroots organizing, letter-writing campaigns, Hill Days, and public awareness initiatives.
“Now is the time to act. By leveraging our resources and influence, we can ensure access to essential services and collaborate to make them gateways to broader care…”
Patrick J Kennedy
The Campaign, led by former Congressman Patrick J Kennedy, is a robust advocacy engine committed to transforming behavioral health policy into lasting, system-wide improvements. Built on a foundation of evidence-based priorities and fueled by strategic collaboration, the initiative targets four critical areas of reform:
Data Infrastructure
Breaking down siloed systems to enable care coordination, real-time insights, and better outcomes
Payment and Delivery Reform
Advancing value-based care models that reward quality, outcomes, and long-term impact and prevention.
Quality Measures
Establishing standardized, meaningful metrics to define success and drive accountability in behavioral health
Workforce Expansion
Addressing urgent provider shortages and strengthening the behavioral health workforce across all communities
We’re wielding advocacy tools for impact.
- Action Oriented Policy Agenda
- Focused on short and long-term policy reforms along our four aims above
- Federal & State Advocacy
- Build and re-energize policy champions at all levels
- Target the Senate Finance and House Mental Health Caucus, and engage White House for a Mental Health Summit
- Expand efforts in key opportunity states such as Utah, Illinois, Colorado and others
- Political Engagement for Impact
- Engage in strategic advocacy by raising funds, promoting key issues, and supporting aligned leaders through coordinated political engagement and public awareness efforts.
- Grassroots Activation
- Engage individual consumers, practitioners and businesses within key districts
- Utilize letter writing, phone, and other grassroots strategies like Hill Days and public campaigns
Joining the Campaign is an Opportunity to:
- Collaborate and join national thought leaders
- Influence national infrastructure development and payment reforms
- Gain access to a wealth of shared knowledge, research and tools that will enhance your advocacy efforts
- Be at the forefront of shaping policies that impact mental health care.
Join us in this campaign!
If you would like to know more , please contact us at egarcia@healthsperien.com