HealthChoices Provides Behavioral Health Care Coverage to 600,000 Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Wolf is ensuring that 600,000 Pennsylvanians in need have access to behavioral health services through HealthChoices. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is raising awareness and understanding of mental illness and substance use disorders, and how the expanded Medicaid program can help Pennsylvanians recover to live healthy, happy, and productive lives.  

"Mental illness and substance use disorders affect Pennsylvania families from all walks of life and in every community in the commonwealth," said DHS Acting Secretary Ted Dallas. "Through HealthChoices, Pennsylvanians have access to the quality mental health and substance use disorder services they need to get the care they require."

The expanded HealthChoices removes barriers experienced previously, including:

• The inpatient psychiatric hospital limit of 30 days per year,
• The six prescription drug limit per month, and
• The outpatient psychiatric and drug and alcohol treatment limits. 

One in 4 Americans will experience mental illness while 1 in 4 has substance abuse in their families. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in the US today, 8.4 million people have co-occurring disorders—both a mental illness and substance use disorder—but only 7.4 percent of these individuals receive treatment for both conditions with 55.8 percent receiving no treatment at all.  Through the services available in HealthChoices, individuals have access to quality treatment and evidence-based practices that provide the tools to manage their illness.   

HealthChoices' comprehensive approach to wellness improves Pennsylvania's health overall. Studies have shown that mental illness has a negative impact on the body, and physical illness can jeopardize mental health. According to SAMHSA, people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders typically die years earlier than the general population.

For people with serious mental illness, 95.4% of deaths were caused by preventable medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease (33.9%), cancer (21%), and pulmonary disease (13.5%).  Individuals with substance use conditions are often at higher risk for HIV and AIDS as well as hepatitis C due to intravenous drug use. HealthChoices' coordinated physical and behavioral health services will improve Pennsylvanians health, reduce medical and insurance costs, and increase longevity.   

DHS' Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Deputy Secretary Dennis Marion said, "Mental illness and substance use disorders touch everyone's life in Pennsylvania—either through a family member, a friend, a co-worker or themselves.  We must come together as a community to support the individual in their struggles with these issues. Mental illness and substance use disorders aren't someone else's problem - but our problem."

Ted Dallas responded, "HealthChoices opens the door to care for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. Governor Wolf's plan is changing the conversation about health and wellness in the Commonwealth."

MEDIA CONTACT:    Kait Gillis, 717-425-7606

PROCLAMATION

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

May 2015

WHEREAS, the mental health of every citizen is essential to the emotional and economic prosperity of our families, communities, and businesses in the commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, mental health is a key component of everyone's overall physical health and emotional well-being; and

WHEREAS, mood disorders, including major depression and bipolar disorder, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults aged 18–44; and

WHEREAS, one in four people has a diagnosable mental illness, and one person dies by suicide every 13.3 minutes; and

WHEREAS, feelings of personal shame and fears of social stigma and discrimination prevent many suffering from mental illness from seeking help; and

WHEREAS, only one out of two people with a serious form of mental illness seeks treatment; and

WHEREAS, untreated mental illness leads to greater numbers of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, school drop outs, incarcerations, and suicides; and

WHEREAS, health insurance is the key to obtaining consistent mental health services that help individuals recover and live full and productive lives; and

WHEREAS, we strive to create communities that support mental wellness in the commonwealth by increasing access to treatment, educating ourselves and our communities about mental wellness, and supporting our fellow citizens in their struggles to achieve mental health; and

WHEREAS, greater public awareness about mental wellness can positively transform attitudes towards people with mental illness, so making it easier for our fellow citizens to seek help.

THEREFORE, I, Governor Tom Wolf, do hereby proclaim May 2015 MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As the Governor of Pennsylvania, I call on the citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to recommit ourselves to increasing our awareness and understanding of mental health and the necessity of accessible and appropriate mental health services for all Pennsylvanians.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this twenty-fourth day of April in the Year of our Lord two thousand and fifteen, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

TOM WOLF

Governor

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services