Behavioral health issues received significant attention from policy makers during the conference. For Anita Fox, Michigan’s Director of Insurance and Financial Services, the pandemic has highlighted that there is no fine line between physical and mental health.
“We know that 40 percent of Michigans with mental health problems don’t seek care, but that’s a problem,” she says.
Rogers said one way to address this issue is through a accredited community behavioral health clinic model that integrates physical and mental health care into one community-based center.
“It’s a data-driven, evidence-based model. My town in Kalamazoo was one of the pilot projects,” she said. “Now we are working to bring more communities online within our budget. It is working in our state and in other states.”
Mr. VanderWaal and Mr. Santana shared similar views about the importance of data and the need for assistance to help collect health behavioral data while balancing financial responsibility.
“As legislators, we need to consider how we can involve outside parties to help gather information and support the larger dialogue around behavioral health issues,” Santana said. said.
