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Articles Archive for December 2010

Health Reform, Mental Health, Prevention, Substance Use, Treatment »

[ 29 Dec 2010 | 5 Comments ]
What Is Parity?

Parity, mentioned in both the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and in the Affordable Care Act is a concept that is often misunderstood. In an effort to relieve some of this confusion, today we are going to breakdown what parity is and is not, who it applies to and what the purpose of parity is.
What Is Parity?
Parity is defined as equal or equivalent, at symmetry, not favoring one over another, or fairly matched.
What Does Parity Do?
Parity makes sure that if mental health or substance …

Prevention, Substance Use »

[ 20 Dec 2010 | No Comment ]
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

By presidential proclamation, December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. This month seems particularly suited to this observation because traffic fatalities that involve impaired drivers increase significantly during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods.[i] But impaired driving is a roadway hazard that exists throughout the year. In 2009, nearly 11,000 people were killed in crashes involving impaired drivers[ii]—or about one death every 49 minutes. As a Nation, as communities, and as individuals, we need to take stronger action to help ensure that our roads and those who …

Public Awareness and Support, Recovery Support »

[ 14 Dec 2010 | No Comment ]
Recovery and Democracy

“People recover” is one of SAMHSA’s four key messages to America as we work together to improve the nation’s health system.  While systems, services, and programs are the means, people’s lives matter most.  The goal is a high-quality, self-directed, satisfying life in the community for everyone.  This life in the community includes health, a home, a purpose and community.
Public engagement is the proven approach to finding the best path for achieving this goal.  Recently, as we worked to finalize SAMHSA’s strategic priorities, we took advantage of the latest social media …

Health Reform »

[ 4 Dec 2010 | 4 Comments ]
What is a Health Home?

In talking with lots of folks—they are confused about the term “health homes”. For some, when the term “health home” is used, they think it’s a residential facility (like a nursing home).  Others think it’s a physical location where a person can go for health care needs, but really a health home is an approach to how health care is delivered.
A health home is a provider or a team of health care professionals that provide integrated health care. This means that if a person is participating in a health home, …