Transforming Mental Health Care In The US: A Discussion On The RAND Corporation Report

Transforming Mental Health Care In The US: A Discussion On The RAND Corporation Report

The United States is at a time of promise for historic transformation in mental health care. For decades, systemic problems have persisted — including high levels of unmet need, underdevelopment of community-based supports, and inequities in access and quality of care. ¹In 2019, while nearly one in five Americans had a mental illness, only 45 percent of those people received any mental health treatment. This translates to unmet need for more than 30 million Americans. Additionally, despite similar levels of mental health care need, racial/ethnic minorities in the United States are about half as likely to use mental health care as non-Hispanic Whites. There are also striking geographic variations in availability of mental health specialty care, with rural areas particularly underserved.

The report, sponsored by Otsuka America, Inc., provides recommendations to promote transformational change to improve the lives of the millions of Americans living with mental illness. To identify these recommendations, the authors conducted a broad review of policy ideas related to goals for the mental health system. They conducted an extensive analysis of mental health systems processes, policies, and solutions supported by evidence and received input from experts around the country.

In this webinar, we will review and discuss the findings and recommendations of the report in a lively conversational question and answer format.

Don C. Fowls, MD
Don Fowls, MD is a nationally known psychiatrist and health care consultant who works with organizations across the country, including health plans, health systems and providers, to develop solutions for the many challenges they face today, including access to care, integration, value-based reimbursement, and strategic partnerships. He has also advised several start-up companies with regard to strategic, product and business development. Dr Fowls previously served as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Business Development for Value Options and its parent company FHC Health Systems for eleven years. He also worked at Schaller Anderson Inc. as Executive Vice President, Business Development, and President and CEO of its behavioral health subsidiary. Dr Fowls has served on several boards, including Chairman of the Board for Copa Health in AZ. He is also recent past President of the Arizona Psychiatric Society.

Tara McKinley, PharmD, Managed Market Liaison, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc.

¹RAND Corporation. How to Transform the U.S. Mental Health System. 2021. Retrieved from https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA889-1.html

Please note: Due to high levels of interest, please access this webinar via your computer.

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