Recommendations for Building IL’s MHSU Treatment System

Mental health and substance use treatment works. It just needs to be accessible at the right time and in the right place. With stable housing, employment opportunities, support in the community and proper treatment, people live full lives, like others living with other medical conditions. The Kennedy Forum Illinois, together with Thresholds and NAMI Chicago, … Continued

Congressional and State Testimony, December 2017

This month The Kennedy Forum testified before both the U.S. Congress and the Illinois Legislature. Please see attached for download Testimony by Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on December 5  regarding the opioid and suicide epidemics and Testimony by Illinois Policy Director David Lloyd before the Illinois State Assembly Committee on … Continued

Illinois Providers Report Barriers to Mental Health and Addiction Coverage for Their Patients

The Kennedy Forum and partners released a new report pointing to significant barriers to mental health and addiction coverage. The report highlights the results of a provider survey asking hospitals, psychiatrists and community providers about their experiences with reimbursement for mental health and addiction services. The survey findings raise red flags about a number of potential barriers … Continued

STATEMENT: Illinois Awarded $1.3 Million in Funds to Improve Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care; Final Report of the Federal Parity Task Force Released

October 31, 2016 – Illinois – The undersigned organizations issued the following statement today regarding the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (MH and SUD) Parity Task Force report released on October 27th and the announcement today that Illinois will receive a $1.3 million grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to … Continued

Report Shows Illinois Failing to Provide Addiction Benefits Mandated by Law

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Use conducted a comprehensive review (UNCOVERING COVERAGE GAPS: A REVIEW OF ADDICTION BENEFITS IN ACA PLANS)  of the addiction benefits offered in the 2017 Essential Health Benefits (EHB) benchmark plans. The ACA mandates coverage of substance use disorder services, and requires that these benefits be provided at parity, meaning … Continued

What the New CMS Final Parity Rule Means for MCOs in Illinois

The new final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides guidance on how provisions of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) apply to Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs), Medicaid alternative benefit plains (ABPs), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This final rule, released March 29, 2016 and … Continued

Unfavorable Opinion from the Second Circuit Holding Psychiatrists, Associations Lack Standing in Parity Case

In an opinion on May 13th, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of claims brought by psychiatrists and professional associations against four health insurers for alleged violations of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) when they … Continued

Public Act 99-480 (HB1) – Summary

Summary of Mental Health and Addiction Parity Laws in Illinois: [gview file=”https://thekennedyforumillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Summary-of-HB-1-Parity-Provisions.pdf”] Detailed Provisions of Public Act 99-480 (HB1): [gview file=”https://thekennedyforumillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HB1-Public-Act-99-480-Action-Plan-10-09-15-RMP-Final.pdf”]

The Kennedy Forum Illinois Urges Comprehensive Mental Health and Addiction Parity in Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kelly O’Brien Kelly@TheKennedyForum.org 312.532.4881 The Kennedy Forum in Illinois is working to end stigma and discrimination against persons with mental health and addiction disorders in attitudes and practice. A key barrier to full equity is the ability to access care and treatment on par with other physical health conditions. For this … Continued