If we want a brighter future for mental healthcare and substance use treatment, we have to work together.
To get the results we want, we need the right people, plan, and resources to come together. That’s where Path Forward comes in. We’re a coalition of healthcare purchasers, clinician associations, health systems, philanthropists, and health-related nonprofits united by one goal: ensuring equitable access to mental health and substance use care for all Americans. And we could use your help.
Equitable Access: Our Action Plan
By restructuring how leading health purchasers, health systems, regulators, and other partners approach their mental healthcare and substance use treatment offerings, we are driving structural changes in these areas:
Optimize the Behavioral Health Workforce
Path Forward advocates for licensing and credentialing reforms, network adequacy standards, and guidelines that support stronger parity. We also promote workforce-friendly care models like integrated care, tele-behavioral health, and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Across care models and settings, we advance the work of behavioral health support specialists who come from the communities they serve and inspire trust and hope in patients.
Advance Integrated and Chronic Care Models
Path Forward advances the right care, in the right place, at the right time, including: Collaborative Care Model: Bringing mental health and substance use treatment to the primary care visit through legislation like the COMPLETE Care Act (S. 931/H.R. 2509). Coordinated Specialty Care: bringing early intervention for psychosis to the 100,000 people who suffer their first episode each year through legislation like the Early Minds Act (H.R. 7808). Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs): supporting nationwide expansion of clinics that reach deep into their communities to reach people where they are with the care they need.
Promote Measurement-Informed Care
Path Forward is advancing measurement-informed care and the use of precision tools to find individual needs early—just like we do in cancer or heart care—and to track results to guide treatment and improve outcomes for each person. Our efforts include legislation to establish user-friendly, interoperable electronic health records (EHRs) in behavioral health.
Metrics
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Regional multi-stakeholder meetings of employers and insurers held for Path Forward priorities.
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Major health systems will be implementing the Collaborative Care Model as part of the Lone Star Prize in Dallas, Texas.
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Trained in Collaborative Care Model as part of CMS grant to APA/APAF.
Recent Progress
May 20, 2025
ReportTrends in the Adoption of the Collaborative Care Model
Path Forward, along with our partners, the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and the American Psychiatric Association, commissioned Milliman to conduct the most comprehensive claims analysis to date. Reflecting 219 million Americans across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans, this data gives us our first true national picture of Collaborative Care adoption.
May 20, 2025
Press ReleaseFederal Action Needed to Close Mental Health Care Gaps Despite 10-Fold Growth in Proven Care Model
A first-ever national analysis reveals a tenfold increase in the commercial health insurance market in the use of the Collaborative Care Model – a proven team-based approach to mental health care that integrates screening, treatment, and psychiatric consultation directly into primary care.
May 20, 2025
Support StatementPath Forward Statement on the Need for Further Expansion of the Collaborative Care Model
Path Forward released a landmark analysis this week of the nationwide adoption of the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM).
The report shows a tenfold increase between from 2018 to 2022 for Medicare and Medicaid and 2018 to 2023 for commercial insurance in the number of people who are receiving treatment through this proven, evidence-based method of addressing mental health needs in primary and specialty care settings.
Apr 7, 2025
PolicyThe Reintroduction of the Complete Care Act: A Vital Step Forward for Integrated Care
The landscape of mental health and substance use disorder care in the United States is poised for a significant transformation with the recent reintroduction of the Complete Care Act on Capitol Hill. The COMPLETE (Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective) Care Act aims to enhance access and integration of mental […]
Dec 3, 2024
FundingMeadows Institute partners with West Health and Northwestern Medicine to expand Collaborative Care
With 1 in 5 Americans struggling with mental health needs, there has never been a more critical time to embrace innovative solutions. Backed by a $1.9 million investment from West Health, the Meadows Institute is working to expand mental health care for more than 350,000 individuals in the Northwestern Medicine system.
Oct 18, 2024
FundingPartnership between 3 Path Forward members, secures 5-year grant to support Collaborative Care implementation
Path Forward members, through ongoing education of policy leaders, successfully established a National Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS) to support collaborative care implementation through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Oct 8, 2024
LetterNew Guidance From CMS prioritizes Integrated Care, CoCM and Measurement-Based Care as Best Practices
The collective work of our partners has been instrumental in advocating for Integrated Care, the Collaborative Care Model and Measurement-Based Care as a way to resolve the mental health crisis in the US. Federal support of these evidence-based approaches will have a profound impact, particularly in Medicaid programs, and will help accelerate the adoption of these models nationwide.
Oct 2, 2024
ResourceMental Health Initiative Guidebook: Employer Mental Health Strategies—An Essential Investment
To help employers, the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions has developed the Mental Health Initiative Guidebook: Employer Mental Health Strategies—An Essential Investment. This step-by-step guidebook provides actionable steps for implementing comprehensive mental health strategies.
Sep 10, 2024
PolicyPath Forward Responds to the Final Parity Rule
The Path Forward, a coalition of health care purchasers, clinician associations, health systems, philanthropists, and health-related nonprofits, appreciates the Administration for its focus on ensuring improved access to quality mental health and substance use disorder care. While this rule may prove challenging for employers and health plans in the near term, it is the responsibility […]
Sep 7, 2024
Press ReleaseNAMI Joins Path Forward
We are honored to announce that NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, has joined Path Forward in our mission to ensure equitable access to quality mental health and substance use care. NAMI’s leadership in advocating for individuals with mental health conditions and their families has had a profound impact on communities across the nation.
Aug 8, 2024
EventCreating a Harmonious Workplace: Navigating the Political Divide
Election Anxiety is spilling over into the workplace, affecting mental health and creating challenges for employers and HR leaders alike. The HR Policy Association tackled this pressing issue head-on with a webinar that provided valuable insights into fostering a respectful and productive work environment amidst a divided nation.
Jul 17, 2024
Press ReleaseNational Council for Mental Wellbeing Joins Path Forward
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing has joined Path Forward, a coalition that brings together stakeholders from across the health care ecosystem, to advance targeted policies and practices that will expand equitable access to quality mental health care.
Our Resources For Many
Find tools, presentations and more to ensure your practice has everything it needs to provide quality care for all those who seek it.
Clinicians ResourcesGet information on early detection methods, Collaborative Care Model practices, and more to ensure the health of our nation’s future.
Health Systems ResourcesReceive Employer Action Plan, sample contract language, and detailed data requests you can use to shape your organization’s benefits offerings and develop smart contracts with insurers.
Employers ResourcesDownload metrics, measures, and standards you can use to align your company’s policies with the Federal parity law and ensure those insured have adequate access and coverage.
Insurer ResourcesWho’s Currently On Our Roster
We are made up of results-drive experts who represent a majority of the mental healthcare ecosystem.
Representing more than 38,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses.
Representing more than 38,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses.
The philanthropic and educational arm of APA, the importance of early intervention, access to care, and the need for high-quality services and treatment.
The philanthropic and educational arm of APA, the importance of early intervention, access to care, and the need for high-quality services and treatment.
Representing mental health philanthropy and the family members and loved ones who have been harmed by the current flawed mental health system.
Representing mental health philanthropy and the family members and loved ones who have been harmed by the current flawed mental health system.
Connecting a diverse community of result-oriented donors and partners who pool their resources and expertise to accelerate the most promising mental health initiatives to improve lives.
Connecting a diverse community of result-oriented donors and partners who pool their resources and expertise to accelerate the most promising mental health initiatives to improve lives.
Serving 4 million college students, 1,500 high schools and school districts.
Serving 4 million college students, 1,500 high schools and school districts.
Helping legislators, state officials, members of the judiciary, and local, state, and national leaders identify equitable systemic solutions to mental health needs.
Helping legislators, state officials, members of the judiciary, and local, state, and national leaders identify equitable systemic solutions to mental health needs.
Mobilizing government payers, unions and employers purchasing health care for 45 million Americans.
Mobilizing government payers, unions and employers purchasing health care for 45 million Americans.
Making mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use challenges, a reality for everyone.
Making mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use challenges, a reality for everyone.
The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.