Specifically address how both you and the agency can effectively engage policy makers to make them aware of the social problem and the impact that the policies have on the agency and clients.

The Assignment (2-3 pages):

• Identify the social problem
• Explain rational for selecting social problem
• Describe state and federal policies that impact the social problem
• Identify specific methods to address the social problems
• Explain how the agency and student can advocate to change the social problem
• Identify the social problem

Lack of access to mental health services through government-sponsored healthcare plans (Medicaid/Medicare) and healthcare marketplace plans

 

• Explain rational for selecting social problem – Many clients at our counseling agency are in need of mental healthcare. However, they are unable to pay out of pocket to continue services their healthcare plans do not cover.

 

• Describe state of Georgia and federal policies that impact the social problem.

 

• Identify specific methods to address the social problems

 

• Explain how the agency and student can advocate to change the social problem

Social Policy

 Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course

Instructor’s Name

Date

Social Policy

Introduction

Policymaking is an important aspect of healthcare systems. Local, state, and federal lawmakers depend on healthcare policies to promote and protect public health. However, the process of healthcare policy-making can be challenging when laws are made for a few individuals to benefit (IRMA, 2019). Policymakers should make policies that promote the interest of the entire society. The policy is one potentially effective way to improve the health of populations. This paper identified the social problem, describes the state of Georgia and federal policies, methods to address the social problem.

The Social Problem

The selected social problem is the lack of access to mental health services through government-sponsored healthcare plans (Medicaid/Medicare) and healthcare marketplace plans.  Access to healthcare services has a considerable impact on overall health at all stages of life (CMA, 2022). The ACA did not affect all persons equally. Certain vulnerable populations, like those with mental health challenges (MHC), remain disproportionately susceptible to barriers to healthcare access (CMA, 2022). Lack of access to mental health services is a serious social problem.

The rationale for selecting social problem

Many clients in counseling agencies require mental healthcare. However, they are unable to pay out of pocket to continue services their healthcare plans do not cover. This issue has raised serious concerns and inspired patient advocates to speak out about the social problem (CMA, 2022). Although government-sponsored programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are trying to cover mental health services, such treatments remain costly because patients still pay very high out-of-pocket fees (CMA, 2022). As a result, most people fail to access effective mental health services.

The state of Georgia and federal policies that impact the social problem

Medicare’s coverage of services for mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse disorders are not as extensive as its coverage for other services. Unlike care in a general hospital, care in a specialized psychiatric hospital is limited to a total of 190 days in a lifetime (CMA, 2022). After that, people use out-of-pocket costs to cater for the treatments. Georgia Medicaid became eligible, in 2016, for coverage of one preventive health visit per calendar year. Most beneficiaries with behavioral health conditions qualify for Medicaid because of their low incomes and disability but not because they have mental illnesses. Public mental health services in Georgia are administered and provided by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities–Division of Behavioral Health (OpenCounseling, 2022). Georgia’s state program prioritizes access for people with serious mental health conditions. People with medium mental illnesses receive counseling only if spaces are available.

Specific methods to address the social problems

To address the issue, there should be initiatives, both at the state and federal level, to provide free care specifically to mental health patients. These initiatives should extend even to private facilities. Additionally, Medicaid and Medicare services can be expanded to cover mental health services without any restrictions (IRMA, 2019). There have been a lot of restrictions when it comes to mental care.  There should be equal coverage laws to prohibit healthcare providers and insurance agencies from discriminating against mental health patients.

How the agency and student can advocate changing the social problem

Both the student and the agency can employ various strategies to advocate for a positive change and address the social problem. Both the student and agencies can write letters to specific or relevant authorities regarding the social problem (IRMA, 2019). They may propose possible solutions or policies to such authorities to be put into considerations. The agency and the student can invite legislatures to a community conference where they can discuss the problem. Additionally, both the student and agency can publish papers where they identify the problem and possible solutions (IRMA, 2019). All these methods of advocacy can help change the social problem.

Conclusion

Local, state, and federal lawmakers should be sensitive to problems affecting society. Lack of access to mental health services is a serious social problem. Many clients in counseling agencies require mental healthcare but cannot access such services. The state of Georgia has both state and federal laws to improve access, however, they are not adequate to address the social issue.

 

 

References

CMA. (2022). Medicare Coverage of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. https://medicareadvocacy.org/medicare-info/medicare-coverage-of-mental-health-services/

Information Resources Management Association (IRMA). (2019). Healthcare policy and reform: Concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications.  Medical Information Science Reference.

OpenCounseling. (2022). Georgia Mental Health Services Guide. https://www.opencounseling.com/public-mental-health-ga