Health Reform

image of US flag and stethoscope

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (together referred to as the Affordable Care Act) that make health insurance coverage more affordable for individuals, families, and the owners of small businesses. The Affordable Care Act is one aspect of a broader movement toward a reformed behavioral health system.

For the behavioral health field, "health reform" includes MHPAEA, Olmstead1 and early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT)2 issues, integration with the broader health system, and increased use of health information technology (HIT). More specific efforts are also important to the reform of the behavioral health system, such as the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the Tribal Law and Order Act, and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Read more about health reform. For more information on SAMHSA's role in health reform see SAMHSA's Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA's Roles and Actions 2011 – 2014.

What we are doing

Parity

Enrollment

  • Health Insurance Enrollment
    Find out what insurance coverage you may be eligible for or explore information and resources on health insurance enrollment for individuals, providers and States.

Health Homes

Prevention

Medicare

Block Grants

  • SAMHSA Block Grants
    Information about SAMHSA’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants

Resources

Webinars

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Visit SAMHSA's webinar archive for information about previously aired webinars in the series.

Fact Sheets

Information for consumers, providers, States, and the public about important topics and provisions regarding the Affordable Care Act.

Information Resource Center

Financing Focus

Timelines

Other Resources

Last updated: 06/13/2012

  1. In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the landmark Olmstead decision applying the Americans with Disabilities Act to the right of individuals with disabilities to receive health care in a community-based setting.
  2. This child health component of Medicaid is required in every State.