Path 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 of all those impacted to come together to make behavioral health access a reality.  

Success will require collaboration, trust and coordination across the entire health care sector. The Path Forward is proud to lead the effort by bringing diverse health care stakeholders together to advance policies which ensure access for all: 

• Integrating behavioral health into primary care. With an emphasis on increasing the utilization of the psychiatric collaborative care model (CoCM) in a variety of health care settings (adult, pediatric, perinatal), the Path Forward endorses the integration of behavioral health care into primary care. 

• Promoting quality measurement. Tracking progress through the repeated use of screening tools for mental health and addiction conditions and adjusting treatment as indicated, just as we do for medical conditions like high blood pressure, will aid in prevention and early intervention while driving person-centered care. 

• Increasing and optimizing the behavioral health workforce. The Path Forward works to improve individuals’ access to quality behavioral health care providers by expanding and leveraging the existing behavioral health workforce via integrated care and telemental health. 

“Equitable access to behavioral health care and effective enforcement of parity requirements are vital prerequisites to providing lifesaving care for Americans living with mental health conditions and substance use disorders,” said Andy Keller, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. “We are grateful to the Administration for this new guidance, but we know there is still much work to be done to increase access to the behavioral health care Americans deserve. We look forward to taking the next steps by bringing together health care stakeholders ready to agree on and implement constructive solutions to this ongoing tragedy.” 

“Regardless of any new federal requirements, employers and purchasers have a responsibility to deliver equitable access and remove barriers to behavioral healthcare,” said Shawn Gremminger, president and CEO of National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions. “We are pleased to work with our partners in the Path Forward to identify realistic and actionable steps employer and purchasers can take to ensure working families have access to needed care.” 

“The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) has been the law for more than a decade and a half, but its protections and benefits for people seeking mental health and substance use care were hampered by a lack of clear oversight and accountability,” said Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “The National Council applauds this rule, which would enhance enforcement of the parity law, holding health care plans responsible to adhere to best practices and provide required access to mental health and substance use care for people who need it.” 

“APA has worked for many years to ensure that patients can receive the vital mental health and substance use services that they need. Everyone deserves equitable access to behavioral health care and barriers must be removed to ensure this is a reality. We look forward to working with our partners across the health care sector as these rules are implemented,” said Marketa M. Wills, M.D., M.B.A., CEO and medical director of the American Psychiatric Association. 

“Large employers have implemented many benefits strategies to address issues with accessing behavioral health care for their employees,” said Margaret Faso, senior director, public policy of HR Policy Association and executive director of the American Health Policy Institute. “However, addressing the systemic issues within the health care industry will take a concerted effort by all stakeholders and HR Policy is pleased to partner with the Path Forward to do just that.” 

The Path Forward is a coalition of health care purchasers, clinician associations, health systems, philanthropists, and health-related nonprofits united by one goal: ensuring equitable access to quality mental health and substance use care.