Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper

Part I
Analysis Criteria Response
What is the issue that requires a policy solution?
The issue selected for this assessment that requires a policy solution is the lack of equitable access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. A policy enacted back in 2008 that seeks to address this issue is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) (Li & Ma, 2020).
Context: Add evidence for the following perspectives: Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper

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Social
Economic
Ethical
Political
Legal
Environmental
Cultural
From a social point of view, individuals with mental health and substance use disorders are often stigmatized and discriminated against which has in part contributed to social disparities (Atkins et al., 2020). Another social issue associated with this issue is limited access to effective treatment which further exacerbates these disparities.
The economic perspective of this issue focuses on the financial burden that untreated mental health and substance use disorders cause on individuals and their families (Pfeffer & Williams, 2020). These demographics often spend substantial amount of money on healthcare. Other costs include reduced workplace productivity and the strain they invite on social services.
Ethically, mental health and substance use disorders are unequally addressed as compared to physical health conditions. This differential is rather concerning and the MHPAEA was designed to address some of these issues. According to Alegría et al. (2021), the policy seeks to rectify these through measures like promoting parity in insurance coverage. More importantly, the policy ensures that individuals with mental health conditions receive the same level of care as those with physical health conditions.
From a political perspective, the MHPAEA makes focused political considerations in a number of ways. Mulvaney-Day et al. (2019) stated one such way is canvassing for bipartisan support for mental health initiatives. The rationale for this is that mental health regarded as a public policy issue.
Legally, the MHPAEA consistently mandates that insurance plans provide equal coverage for all in particular persons with mental health and substance use disorders.
Culturally and as explained by Bruckner et al. (2019), the MHPAEA reflects a shift toward recognizing and valuing mental health as part and parcel of overall well-being. This is resourceful as it effectively challenges cultural stigmas surrounding mental health and substance use disorders. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper
Costs
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) is associated with a number of notable costs. Primarily, these costs are related to increased insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments (Jordan et al., 2020). Research has shown that while these costs are incurred by insurance providers and healthcare institutions, the notable long-term benefits are an improved societal well-being. There is also the advantage of reduced economic burdens associated with untreated mental health issues.

Issue Analysis Part II
Who are the stakeholders in this policy issue?
What is their ‘stake”? The key stakeholders MHPAEA are patients with mental health and substance use disorders because they are the ultimate beneficiaries from the policy (McCarty, 2019). Other stakeholders include healthcare providers, insurance companies, policymakers, and employers. The overall stake all these have is to achieve equitable access to mental health and addiction treatment.
What are the health risks addressed by the policy issue?

These health risks are the ones associated with untreated mental health and substance use disorders. Examples include increased morbidity, impaired quality of life and higher rates of comorbid medical conditions. Bruckner et al. (2019) noted that another risk that has emerged with the rise of substance abuse is suicide.
How would the policy impact these risks? Use evidence. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper

According to McCarty (2019), this policy ensures that individuals with mental health and substance use disorders have equal access to effective treatments. As a result, this gradually reduces the likelihood of untreated conditions that often lead to increased morbidity and other adverse outcomes. A research study by Mulvaney-Day et al. (2019) has shown that improved access to mental health services leads to better health outcomes. Other notable outcomes are decreased emergency room visits.
Specify the policy consequences, both intended and unintended, to the best of your ability.

On the one hand, the intended consequences of the policy are the reduction of health disparities. Others are improved mental health outcomes and enhanced societal well-being. On the other hand, the unintended consequences include increases in insurance premiums and shifts in healthcare utilization patterns. These must be monitored closely to maintain the intended positive impact of the policy. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper

Issue Analysis Part III
Policy Option #1: Status Quo
The rationale for maintaining the current approach would likely perpetuate existing disparities in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. With this, it would potentially lead to a rise in health risks, economic burdens, and societal inequities.
Policy Option #2: Incremental Reforms
The rationale for this second option of implementing incremental reforms would potentially address certain issues causing minimal disruptions in the process. These incremental reforms include the expansion of mental health coverage and enhancing public awareness programs. The objective of this option is seeking to balance the need for change with the recognition of potential challenges in a step-by-step manner.
Policy Option #3: Comprehensive Implementation of MHPAEA
Fully implementing and enforcing the MHPAEA nationwide would lead to an equal access to mental health and substance use disorder treatments. In such a case, the effectiveness, fairness, and evidence-based practice would be promoted. This option aligns with the overarching goal of achieving healthcare equity and addressing the identified policy issues. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper

Policy Options Scorecard
1. Do Nothing (Status Quo)
2. Incremental Reforms
3. Comprehensive Implementation of MHPAEA
Criteria Policy Option #1 Policy Option #2 Policy Option #3
Effectiveness – + ++
Protection of rights — + ++
Costs – +/- +
Administrative feasibility – + —
Fairness – + ++
Evidence-based practice – + ++
Environmental effects +/- +/- +
Power – + ++
Cultural considerations – + ++

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“++” indicates a strongly positive impact, “+” indicates a positive impact, “–” indicates a strongly negative impact, and “-” indicates a negative impact.
Final Policy Problem Statement
Insufficient access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment perpetuates disparities, posing risks to health, imposing economic burdens, and fostering societal inequities. The current policy landscape, notably the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008, requires reassessment for optimal effectiveness. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper
Recommended Policy Solution
The recommended policy solution is Policy Option #3 which seeks to comprehensively implement the of MHPAEA. This choice is justified by the fact that the approach ensures nationwide equality in accessing mental health and substance use disorder treatments. More importantly, the approach also aligns with healthcare equity goals. Furthermore, it also promotes effectiveness, fairness, and evidence-based practice. This ultimately helps address the identified policy issues comprehensively and fostering a more just and accessible mental healthcare system.
Conclusion
In the final analysis of this policy analysis, it is crucial that the issues of mental health and substance abuse be addressed. As it is today, there exists a handful of disparities and limited access necessitating the need for strategic policy interventions. Research has also shown that while maintaining the status quo risks perpetuating inequalities, incremental reforms would have the benefit of providing a much-needed middle ground. The clear imperative however lies in the full implementation of the MHPAEA. Needless to say, this approach aligns with principles of fairness, evidence-based practice, and cultural sensitivity.

References
Alegría, M., Frank, R. G., Hansen, H. B., Sharfstein, J. M., Shim, R. S., & Tierney, M. (2021). Transforming Mental Health and Addiction Services: Commentary describes steps to improve outcomes for people with mental illness and addiction in the United States. Health Affairs, 40(2), 226-234. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.01472
Atkins, J., Dopp, A. L., & Temaner, E. B. (2020). Combatting the stigma of addiction-the need for a comprehensive health system approach. NAM perspectives, 2020. https://doi.org/10.31478%2F202011d
Bruckner, T. A., Singh, P., Snowden, L. R., Yoon, J., & Chakravarthy, B. (2019). Rapid growth of mental health services at community health centers. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 46, 670-677. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00947-w
Jordan, A., Mathis, M. L., & Isom, J. (2020). Achieving mental health equity: addictions. Psychiatric Clinics, 43(3), 487-500. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2020.05.007
Li, X., & Ma, J. (2020). Does mental health parity encourage mental health utilization among children and adolescents? Evidence from the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 47, 38-53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-019-09660-w
McCarty, D. (2019). A changing landscape for treatment of alcohol and drug use disorders. American journal of public health, 109(6), 838. https://doi.org/10.2105%2FAJPH.2019.305080
Mulvaney-Day, N., Gibbons, B. J., Alikhan, S., & Karakus, M. (2019). Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the use of outpatient behavioral health services in the United States, 2005–2016. American journal of public health, 109(S3), S190-S196. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305023
Pfeffer, J., & Williams, L. (2020). Mental health in the workplace: The coming revolution. McKinsey Quarterly, 8, 1-9. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Assignment Paper