http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/opinion/hope-for-americans-with-mental-illness.html 2016-09-05 09:57:36 Hope for Americans With Mental Illness Hillary Clinton’s plan would pave the way for improved diagnosis and treatment. === More than Central to Mrs. Clinton would direct the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to develop new payment methods for doctors that would encourage collaborative care by health care providers treating physical and mental health problems. She would also issue recommendations to spur private health plans to pay for collaborative care. Mrs. Clinton also pointed out that though insurers have been required since 2008 to cover mental illnesses the same way they would cover physical ailments, Mrs. Clinton’s plan would use random audits to find violations of the 2008 law and make it easier for patients to report suspected violations. It would also require insurers to maintain up-to-date lists of mental health providers so people can more easily find an affordable therapist or doctor. Since mental health treatment is most effective when offered early, the plan fosters early detection and intervention, including screening for pre- and postpartum depression and childhood trauma and stress. Mrs. Clinton also pledged to bolster employment and housing support, both of which can help people with mental illness avoid jail and institutionalization and lead independent lives. The plan has room for improvement. While Mrs. Clinton promises to enforce existing transparency rules that require insurers to show they abide by the 2008 law, patients would be better served if she required insurers to give more detailed explanations of how they covered mental and physical health treatments. But over all, Mrs. Clinton’s ideas would make an important difference in the lives of people with mental illness, as well as paving the way for improved diagnosis and treatment in the future. The biggest obstacle will be finding the money to put the plan into action. Over time, some of Mrs. Clinton’s proposals might actually save money — the The hard part will be getting Congress to pay for the plan. A mental health bill