Monitor on Psychology - May 2012 - (Page 61)

S TAT E L E A D E R S H I P C O N F E R E N C E Psychologists should be involved not just in areas “where federal dollars are making things happen but where psychologists need to make things happen,” said Alan Weil, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy. Alan Weil, JD, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy, offered a closer look at states’ role in implementation. Four areas are especially critical: Designing state insurance exchanges. Half of newly insured Americans will obtain coverage through the exchanges, said Weil, so their design and implementation are critical. Simplifying and integrating eligibility systems. Health-care reform will also bring a massive Medicaid expansion. Currently, said Weil, enrolling requires coming in between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., taking a number, waiting, handing over sensitive details about your life and then waiting some more. “Then you get a letter you can’t read that explains what you got wrong and tells you you have to come back,” said Weil. “That has to change if the coverage promise of the state exchanges and Medicaid expansion is to be realized.” Promoting coordination of care. Inefficiencies contribute greatly to the financial pressures the health-care system faces — and these pressures will only increase as coverage expands. “No one wants reimbursement rates to be the vehicle for savings,” M AY 2 0 1 2 • M O N I T O R O N P S Y C H O L O G Y said Weil. “Everyone wants to do it through efficiency.” Designing benefits packages. The law requires that insurance sold in the exchanges include a package of essential benefits in 10 categories, including mental health and substance disorder services. States have a lot of “wiggle room” within that broad mandate, said Weil, warning that psychologists should be concerned about states’ final determinations. When it comes to implementation, most states are focusing on areas with federal funding attached, such as setting up exchanges and improving eligibility systems. Psychologists, Weil said, should be involved not just in areas “where federal dollars are making things happen but where psychologists need to make things happen.” Psychologists shouldn’t focus on their own reimbursement rates, however, Weil cautioned. “If we’re trying to improve the health-care system and what you bring to every conversation is your list of grievances, that’s not much of a path for progress,” he said. Instead, he said, psychologists must focus on “building a better system.” n —R.A. CLAY 61

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - May 2012

Monitor on Psychology - May 2012
Letters
President’s Column
Contents
From the CEO
Math + science + motherhood = a tough combination
The rights of indigenous people take center stage at AAAS meeting
Interdisciplinary programs that are leading the way
Good Governance Project moves into its next phase
APA publishes third edition of seminal ADHD book for kids
Government Relations Update
In Brief
Random Sample
Judicial Notebook
Psychology’s first forays into film
Time Capsule
Questionnaire
Presidential programming
Obesity researchers receive lifetime achievement awards
Top speakers for psychology’s top meeting
Science Watch
Homing in on sickle cell disease
Psychologist Profile
Alone in the ‘hole’
Public Interest
State Leadership Conference ‘12
Perspective on Practice
Education tops council’s agenda
Meet the candidates for APA’s 2014 president
Presidential election guidelines
Division Spotlight
American Psychological Foundation
Support for sexual miniorities
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - May 2012