The AACAP is committed to the overall reform of our nation’s health care system. Mental health recovery is integral to overall health and should be included in any comprehensive health care reform package. AACAP was committed to these principles during the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)and continues to impact implementation through regulations.

Resources for Members
• How the Healthcare Reform Law Impacts Your Practice and Training Programs
• How the Healthcare Reform Law Impacts Your Patients
• Implementation Timeline for the Healthcare Reform Law

Other Healthcare Reform Resources
• See how AACAP's healthcare principles fared in the new healthcare law.
• The child and adolescent mental health provisions of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
• AACAP Comments on Establishment of Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans; Proposed Rule CMS-9989-P September 28, 2011
• AACAP Comments on Medicare Shared Savings Program: Accountable Care Organizations; Proposed Rule CMS-1345-P. June 5, 2011
• AACAP Comments on the Interim Final Rules for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Relating to Coverage of Preventive Services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. September 17, 2010
• AACAP Comments on Proposed Rule for Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and other Revisions to Part B for CY2011 August 24, 2010
• The AACAP Health Care Reform Principles.
• Dr. Hendren's letter to President Obama's transition team.
• AACAP's letter supporting the Health Care Workforce Loan Repayment Program in Health Care Reform Legislation

Strengthening the Workforce

The AACAP’s 10-year priority is to increase recruitment into child and adolescent psychiatry and expand access to services for these youth and their families. AACAP worked with Congress to approve legislation that will create a loan forgiveness program for child and adolescent psychiatry trainees. We are also working to restore federal support for training programs.

• AACAP's Brochure on the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Workforce Crisis
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Workforce Shortage Policy Summary
• AACAP Statement for the Record: Senate Committee on Finance on Workforce Issues in Health Care Reform March 12, 2009: Assessing the Present and Preparing for the Future
• The Continuing Shortage of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists - JAACAP - Sep 2006
• State CAP Shortage Maps

Mental Health Parity

With the passage of The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act on October 3 2008, many more Americans have the right to non-discriminatory mental health coverage, including 82 million individuals enrolled in self-funded plans (regulated under ERISA). This law ended health insurance benefits discrimination between mental health/substance use disorders and medical/surgical benefits for group health plans with more than 50 employees. The law became effective on January 1st, 2010 and the regulations are being written by the Department of Health and Human Services. AACAP is actively involved in the development of the regulations.

• AACAP Comments on Interim Final Rules under the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 May 5, 2010
• AACAP Comments on the Implementation of the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 May 28, 2009
• How the Mental Health Parity Law Will Affect You