Mental Health Leadership Initiative Inc

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PARTNERSHIPS: KENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS - THE KENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS LLC (TKFI), FORMALIZED IN 2016, IS A SINGLE MEMBER LLC (A DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR TAX PURPOSES) OF MHLI.FOUNDED BY ILLINOIS CIVIC LEADERS AND PATRICK J. KENNEDY, TKFI WORKS TO ADVANCE THE KENNEDY FORUM MISSION IN ILLINOIS. PRIORITIES INCLUDE FIGHTING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION THROUGH HIGH-IMPACT COMMUNCIATIONS; (CONTINUED ON SCH O)(CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - PARTNERSHIPS)ENHANCING THE UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH TARGETED OUTREACH AND EDUCATION; AND DEVELOPING STRONG STATE POLICY RESPONSES TO MHSUD PARITY AND EQUITY WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF HAVING ILLINOIS SERVE AS A MODEL PARITY STATE.IN 2022, TKFI DIRECTLY IMPACTED THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CITY OF CHICAGO AND THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CHALLENGES. SPECIFIC INITIATIVES ACHIEVED IN 2022 INCLUDE: -TKFI LED THE COALITION TO PASS LANDMARK STATE OF ILLINOIS HB2595 WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO LAW, MAKING ILLINOIS A LEADING STATE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEDERAL PARITY ACT. THE NEW LEGISLATION REQUIRES HEALTH PLANS IN ILLINOIS TO COVER MEDICALLY NECESSARY MH/SUD CARE AND REQUIRES HEALTH PLANS TO FOLLOW GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE WHEN MAKING MEDICALLY NECESSARY DETERMINATIONS. -TKFI WAS CONTRACTED BY THE CITY OF CHICAGO TO ASSIST IN THE ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT SERVICES EQUITABLY TO ALL 77 COMMUNITIES OF THE CITY. -TKFI SPONSORED ON-LINE "SPOT LIGHT". THESE WERE ON-LINE PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE TKFI COMMUNICATIONS PLAN.TKFI RAISED $234,974 IN 2022 IN SUPPORT OF ITS INITIATIVES. THE KENNEDY FORUM'S CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE - THE KENNEDY FORUM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STEINBERG INSTITUTE, MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD IMPROVING COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT AND INSURER COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA STATE AND FEDERAL PARITY LAWS. AFTER THE 2020 ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION REQUIRING STATE-REGULATED COMMERCIAL HEALTH PLANS TO MAKE COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS CONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE, THE KENNEDY FORUM, STEINBERG INSTITUTE, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WORKED WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MANAGED HEALTH CARE TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW. IN 2022, BOTH DEPARTMENTS PUT FORWARD REGULATIONS TO HELP IMPLEMENT THIS LEGISLATION - A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD.THE KENNEDY FORUM ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE STEINBERG INSTITUTE AND OTHER ADVOCATES ON LEGISLATION TO SUCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT 988, THE NEW NATIONWIDE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE IN CALIFORNIA. THIS LEGISLATION PASSED THE ASSEMBLY IN 2021. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS LEGISLATION CONTINUED IN 2022 THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY. ADDITIONALLY, IN 2022, THE KENNEDY FORUM AND CALIFORNIA PARTNERS WORKED COLLABORATIVELY TO INTEGRATE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION PARITY REVIEWS INTO ONGOING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INVESTIGATIONS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGED HEALTH CARE.THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY (KSCMHE) IN THE SATCHER HEALTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AT MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE - COFOUNDED BY PATRICK KENNEDY AND DR. DAVID SATCHER, THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY (KSCMHE) WORKS TO ENSURE THE EQUAL TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS THROUGH TARGETED EFFORTS TO AGGREGATE AND ELEVATE PARITY IMPLEMENTATION WORK, RESEARCH, AND ENGAGEMENT OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS.2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: KSCMHE LAUNCHED PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES THAT TARGET THEIR 3 PILLARS: RESEARCH, POLICY, AND CONVENING LEADERSHIP. KEY PROGRAMS INCLUDED: -RESEARCH: - EMBEDDING EQUITY INTO 988: THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY AT THE SATCHER HEALTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE CONDUCTED RESEARCH THROUGH A LITERATURE AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE SURVEY TO NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS TO INFORM THE RELEASE OF A NATIONAL POLICY BRIEF ENTITLED EMBEDDING EQUITY INTO 988.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION:GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS:THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO ADVANCE ITS SIX KEY PILLARS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY: (CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - POLICY DEVELOPMENT-GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS) PILLAR 1: PARITY COMPLIANCE/PAYER ACCOUNTABILITY PILLAR 2: PROVIDER ACCOUNTABILITY AND QUALITY PILLAR 3: INTEGRATION AND COLLABORATIVE CARE PILLAR 4: TECHNOLOGY - ASSESSMENT/TREATMENT TOOLS AND ENTERPRISE-WIDE SOLUTIONS PILLAR 5: BRAIN HEALTH & FITNESS PILLAR 6: YOUTH MENTAL HEALTHTHESE INTERLOCKING PILLARS MUST ALL BE ADDRESSED TO IMPROVE CLINICAL AND FINANCIAL OUTCOMES AND BUILD THE SYSTEM WE NEED. THE KENNEDY FORUM WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE STRATEGIC PROGRAMS AND POLICIES-AND UNITE KEY STAKEHOLDERS-TO SPARK CHANGE.THROUGHOUT 2022, FORMER CONGRESSMAN PATRICK J. KENNEDY, ON BEHALF OF THE KENNEDY FORUM, DELIVERED KEYNOTE SPEECHES, HELD IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS, AND PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS AT OVER TWO DOZEN EVENTS. THE PURPOSE OF VIRTUALLY ALL OF THESE EVENTS WAS TO PROMOTE POLICY PRIORITIES DEVELOPED AND ADVOCATED FOR BY THE KENNEDY FORUM. IN ADDITION TO CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY, CEO REBECCA BAGLEY, AND CHIEF POLICY OFFICER DAVID LLOYD WERE INTERVIEWED ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES BY TIME MAGAZINE, TOWN AND COUNTRY, NPR, AND OTHER OUTLETS.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO BE REPRESENTED ON RELEVANT COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, INCLUDING: -STEERING COMMITTEE --- WELL BEING WORKING GROUP (LED BY TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH), WHICH MEETS TO DEFINE POLICY PRIORITIES FOR UPSTREAM PREVENTION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND SPOTLIGHT NEW STUDIES AND INITIATIVES THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. -EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER --- NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION. THE NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ADVANCING THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION. -CEO ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH --- THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF CEOS FROM NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A UNIFIED VISION FOR TRANSFORMING MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE. -NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION'S MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION NATIONAL RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (NATIONAL RESPONSE) --- CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY CO-CHAIRS THIS EFFORT WITH NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR DR. JOSHUA GORDON. THE NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION (ACTION ALLIANCE) BROUGHT TOGETHER DIVERSE NATIONAL PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND LEAD A COORDINATED MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. PRIORITIES INCLUDE INCREASING ACCESS TO EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN SPECIALTY AND PRIMARY CARE, INCREASING THE USE OF NON-PUNITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES, AND MORE. -INSEPERABLE'S HOPEFUL FUTURES CAMPAIGN --- THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF YOUTH HEALTH AND EDUCATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS AND THINK TANKS WHO HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO MOVE FORWARD SCHOOL AND YOUTH-CENTERED MENTAL HEALTH POLICY SOLUTIONS AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. -NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS' REIMAGINE CRISIS AND 988 STATE WORKING GROUPS --- THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF STATE AND FEDERAL ADVOCATES PUSHING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CRISIS REFORM THROUGH THE 988 SYSTEM OF CRISIS CARE. -MENTAL HEALTH LIAISON GROUP'S PARITY WORKGROUP --- THIS GROUP CONSISTS OF MEMBERS OF THE WASHINGTON DC-BASED MENTAL HEALTH LIAISON GROUP WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION PARITY. THE KENNEDY FORUM CO-CHAIRS THIS WORK GROUP WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION. -ONE MIND --- OM FOCUSES ON PROGRAMS IN THE AREA OF BRAIN SCIENCE INCLUDING RESEARCH AND OPEN SCIENCE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WE NEED. ONE MIND'S EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN DISCOVERIES IN BRAIN HEALTH, GUIDED BY PRINCIPLES OF LARGE-SCALE, OPEN-SCIENCE RESEARCH. -ONE MIND AT WORK --- ONE MIND AT WORK IS FURTHERING DEVELOPMENT OF A COALITION OF BUSINESS LEADERS WITH THE GOAL OF TRANSFORMING APPROACHES TO MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION IN THE WORKPLACE.

PARITY IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION COVERAGE:THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (MHPAEA OR PARITY LAW) PROMISED EQUITY IN THE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT, BUT YEARS LATER THE LAW IS STILL NOT PROPERLY ENFORCED AND MANY AMERICANS CONTINUE TO BE DENIED CARE.(CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - PARITY IMPLEMENTATION AND EDUCATION)IN 2022, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED WORKING WITH POLICYMAKERS AND REGULATORS TO FULLY ENFORCE THE PARITY LAW; AND WORKED TO PROMOTE EDUCATION OF PARITY AND RIGHT OF APPEALS. THE KENNEDY FORUM ALSO WORKED WITH LAWMAKERS ON LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN FEDERAL REGULATORS' POWERS TO ENFORCE THE PARITY LAW AND TO EXPAND THE PARITY ACT'S RULES TO ADDITIONAL TYPES OF HEALTH COVERAGE, INCLUDING MEDICARE.THROUGHOUT 2022, THE KENNEDY FORUM WORKED WITH POLICYMAKERS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR ENDING THE ABILITY OF SELF-FUNDED NON-FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PLANS (E.G. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS) TO OPT-OUT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION PARITY ACT. AFTER SUSTAINED ADVOCACY IN 2022, THE ABILITY TO OPT OUT OF THE PARITY ACT WAS ENDED IN THE YEAR-END CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023. THIS POLICY CHANGE WILL AFFECT AN ESTIMATED 1 MILLION PUBLIC EMPLOYEES NATIONWIDE.THE KENNEDY FORUM ALSO SUPPORTED LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THE ABILITY TO ISSUE CIVIL MONETARY PENALITIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PARITY ACT - A POWER THE DEPARTMENT HAS REPEATEDLY REQUESTED. LEGISLATION THAT INCLUDED PROVISIONS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT WITH THIS POWER PASSED THE U.S. HOUSE ON TWO OCCASSIONS IN 2022.IN 2022, THE KENNEDY FORUM UNDERTOOK WORK TO IMPROVE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER EMERGENCY ("CRISIS") SERVICES. THESE SERVICES ARE OFTEN NOT COVERED, DESPITE COVERAGE OF PHYSICAL HEALTH EMERGENCY SERVICES. AS PART OF THIS INITIATIVE, THE KENNEDY FORUM RELEASED A DECEMBER REPORT "ENSURING COVERAGE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EMERGENCY SERVICES" THAT DISCUSSED WHY THESE SERVICES ARE SO IMPORTANT, WHAT STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS GOVERN COVERAGE, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE ACCESS.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AND AUGMENT PARITY TRACK, A CUSTOM WEBSITE PLATFORM, THAT LOOKS AT IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE LENSES OF LEGISLATION, REGULATION, AND LITIGATION. EACH STATE'S PROGRESS IS VISUALIZED ON THE WEBSITE, AND MODEL LEGISLATION WAS DEVELOPED TO AID STATE POLICYMAKERS AND ADVOCATES. THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO SUPPORT PARITYREGISTRY.ORG, A WEBSITE WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN LEARN TO FILE APPEALS FOR UNLAWFUL DENIALS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT COVERAGE; REGISTER COMPLAINTS AGAINST THEIR HEALTH PLANS; FIND CONTACT INFO FOR CONSUMER ADVOCATES, HEALTH PLANS, AND STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORS; AND MORE. DATA FROM THE SITE IS USED TO HELP SHAPE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND INFLUENCE FUTURE LEGISLATION. IN 2018, THE KENNEDY FORUM CREATED A CONSUMER AND PROVIDER FACING COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN AND WEBSITE-DONTDENYME.ORG-IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT (MHPAEA) OF 2008. IN 2022, THIS CAMPAIGN CONTINUED TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS, PROVIDERS, AND ADVOCATES ABOUT PATIENT RIGHTS UNDER THE FEDERAL PARITY LAW AND CONNECT THEM WITH ESSENTIAL APPEALS GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES (THROUGH PARITYREGISTRY.ORG). CONSUMERS CAN DOWNLOAD HELPFUL FACT SHEETS AND INFOGRAPHICS. PROVIDERS CAN DOWNLOAD PRINT-READY BROCHURES AND POSTERS FOR THEIR OFFICES TO HELP INFORM PATIENTS OF PARITY RIGHTS AND DO THEIR PART TO STOP DISCRIMINATORY INSURANCE DENIALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE. ADVOCATES CAN DOWNLOAD A LETTER TEMPLATE TO EDUCATE EMPLOYERS ABOUT THEIR OBLIGATIONS REGARDING HEALTH PLANS. UNIONS CAN DOWNLOAD AN ISSUE BRIEF EXPLAINING HOW TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THEIR MEMBERS. MANY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED THE DON'T DENY ME CAMPAIGN: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY DIRECTORS; LEGAL ACTION CENTER; THE CARTER CENTER; AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTION MEDICINE; NAMI; WELL BEING TRUST; MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA; PARITY IMPLEMENTATION COALITION; NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; SHATTERPROOF; FACES AND VOICES OF RECOVERY; AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION; SCATTERGOOD FOUNDATION; FACING ADDICTION; PEG'S FOUNDATION; NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE; KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY; CENTER ON ADDICTION; PARTNERSHIP FOR DRUG-FREE KIDS; AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION; INTERNATIONAL BIPOLAR FOUNDATION; PROJECT HEAL; DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE; FOUNTAIN HOUSE; AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION; FOUNTAIN HOUSE; COMMUNITY CATALYST; AMERICAN MENTAL WELLNESS ASSOCIATION; AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY; AND TREATMENT ADVOCACY CENTER.EACH MONTH, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE A SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT FOR PARTNERS DEVELOPED AROUND VARIOUS HOLIDAYS AND/OR OBSERVANCES-IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE TIMELY DON'T DENY ME PROMOTIONS WITH FOLLOWERS, MEMBERS, AND SUPPORTERS. THE DON'T DENY ME CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN FEATURED IN MANY MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS, INCLUDING USA TODAY, THE WASHINGTON POST, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, CNN, AND MORE.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO CONVENE THE STATE PARITY LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP, AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STATES' ENFORCEMENT OF THE FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT AND RELATED STATE-BASED LAWS. MORE THAN 200 NATIONAL AND STATE ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE. ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WORKGROUP MEMBERS SHARE INFORMATION AND BEST PRACTICES TO FURTHER EFFORTS IN THEIR STATES. AS PART OF ITS STATE-BASED EFFORTS TO ENFORCE PARITY AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE, THE KENNEDY FORUM HAS DEVELOPED MODEL STATE LEGISLATION. ITS REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE IN NEARLY HALF OF ALL STATES. TO IMPROVE HEALTH PLANS' PARITY COMPLIANCE REPORTING, THE KENNEDY FORUM'S JIM RAMSTAD MODEL STATE LEGISLATION TO ADVANCE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION EQUITY, REQUIRES COMPLIANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY 40 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND KEY COMPONENTS OF THIS MODEL LEGISLATION WERE ENACTED IN 2022 IN GEORGIA.IN 2022, THE KENNEDY FORUM ALSO WORKED WITH NUMEROUS PARTNERS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS OF A RULING FROM THE U.S. NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS IN WIT V. UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WHICH HAS IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. WE EDUCATED POLICYMAKERS AND STAKEHOLDERS ON THE RULING AND WORKED WITH PARTNERS AND AFFECTED STATES IN SUPPORT OF AN EN BANC PETITION FILED WITH THE NINTH CIRCUIT.