In recent posts, guest editors, CFYM editors and our readers have shared their ideas about the status of access to quality mental health care in 2014. Will it be a year we look back on as a turning point in the fight for civil rights for people living with mood disorders? Or will it will be a year that we give back some hard earned gains.
In recent posts, guest editors, CFYM editors and our readers have shared their ideas about the status of access to quality mental health care in 2014. Will it be a year we look back on as a turning point in the fight for civil rights for people living with mood disorders? Or will it will be a year that we give back some hard earned gains.
There is much to be to keep our eye on in the coming year. During the winding days of Congress, before the holiday recess, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, H.R. 3717 was introduced. Many advocacy groups voiced their thoughts on this bill including Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the National Council for Behavioral Health, to name a few.
On January 6th, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services announced a proposal to remove antidepressants from the protected class status they received at the very inception of this ground-breaking healthcare program. With the removal of protection, many patients could find that they no longer have immediate access to the most appropriate drug to manage their condition.
In the coming weeks and months CFYM will examine these issues. Our goal is to provide the facts so that our readers can form an educated opinion and advocate for themselves, form partnership with others, or participate in national movements.
Next week we will kick-off this educational campaign with a piece detailing the CMS proposal. This is your time to speak up and be heard. Start the dialogue in CFYM, start the dialogue with your family, friends and neighbors, begin a letter writing campaign, attend at town meeting when your elected official is in town. Most importantly, make your voice heard!
Your Turn
- How will you make your voice heard in 2014?
- What actions will you take?
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