The implementation of the Affordable Care Act presents both challenges and opportunities for individual behavioral health consumers and consumer organizations alike. For individuals, there will be a challenge in identifying how their healthcare may change, and finding reliable answers to their questions about those changes. For consumer organizations, there will be a new role to play in helping their membership to navigate a changing system, and the opportunity to obtain funding as “Consumer Assistance Programs” funded through the ACA.
As a resource for both individuals and organizations, The CAFE TA Center has produced a new Focus newsletter that provides a simple tool to help track both resources and changes. It includes an easy-to-use form, that will allow consumer run organizations an opportunity to promote strategic approaches to researching and locating answers regarding mental health services. Please check it out here!