The first day of our 2002 Annual Meeting (Monday, April 29, 2002) became a truly historic day for mental health with the New Mexico announcement by President George W. Bush of his support for parity and the creation of a Commission on Mental Health – news that was shared as it happened with our membership. Here NAPHS President Anil Godbole, M.D., Chairman of the Advocate Behavioral Health Council in Chicago, updates participants.

CMS ADMINISTRATOR TOM SCULLY OPENS DOOR FOR INPUT ON MEDICARE/MEDICAID ISSUES

Members of the NAPHS Executive Committee welcome Thomas A. Scully (second from left), Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to the 2002 Annual Meeting of the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) in Washington, DC. Pictured with Mr. Scully are Vernon S. Westrich (left), President, Behavioral Health Group, Ardent Health Services, Behavioral Health Group; NAPHS President-Elect Dennis P. King (second from right), Vice President Behavioral Health, MaineHealth; and Debra Osteen (right), President of Behavioral Health, Universal Health Services, Inc. Mr. Scully told NAPHS Annual Meeting participants to expect a proposed rule from CMS on development of a psychiatric inpatient prospective payment system (PPS) some time this winter, with a target implementation date of January 2004. The Congressionally-mandated PPS would be established based on a per-diem system. Along with coalition partners including the American Psychiatric Association and the American Hospital Association, NAPHS has been working with CMS to encourage development of a system that will optimize patient care and ensure access to appropriate services; be simple to administer; rely on currently available data that is clinically relevant and statistically meaningful; and maintain appropriate care delivery incentives.

GOVERNORS ARE LOOKING FOR PARTNERS TO PREVENT OR ALLEVIATE MEDICAID CUTS, NGA TELLS NAPHS ANNUAL MEETING PARTICIPANTS. 

NAPHS Board member Robert Greenbaum, Ph.D. (left), CEO/Clinical Director of Four Winds-Saratoga, confers with Matt Salo (right), Legislative Director for Health at the National Governors’ Association, at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS). Medicaid is generally the second largest state budget item, behind education, and nearly equal in dollars to Medicare, Mr. Salo told the executives attending the policy event in Washington, DC. In this environment, health care will be an area that draws governors’ attention. Over the next 12 to 18 months, states will be looking for federal relief through federal matching dollars, he said. He asked the healthcare industry (including behavioral healthcare leaders) to support the governors’ efforts to win this relief. 

PANEL BRINGS MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES ON TRENDS

NAPHS President-Elect Dennis P. King (left) moderated a session that brought together representatives of the states, governors, consumers, and policy experts. Panelists included Robert W. Glover, Ph.D. (second from left), Executive Director of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors; Matt Salo (center), Legislative Director, Health, National Governors’ Association; Richard C. Birkel, Ph.D. (second from right), Executive Director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and Ronald W. Manderscheid, Ph.D. (right), Chief of the Survey and Analysis Branch of the federal Center for Mental Health Services.

More state psychiatric hospitals have been closed in the 1990s than in the 1970s and 1980s combined, said Robert W. Glover, Ph.D., during the panel discussion. Between 1990 and 1997, 47 state psychiatric hospitals either closed (44) or planned to close (3), compared to only 5 closures in the 1980s and 9 in the 1970s. Half of all states (as of 2000) reported that they are currently reorganizing their state hospital systems.

ADVOCACY EMPHASIZED

NAPHS Executive Director Mark Covall gives Annual Meeting participants ideas for making the case for behavioral health services as they visit Capitol Hill leaders – and as they continue to connect with legislators locally after the event. During the Annual Meeting, many meeting participants were able to deliver a strong message in support of parity – which gained the vocal support of President Bush – in visits to their Congressional leaders while in Washington.

James D. Bentley, Ph.D. (right), Senior Vice President for Strategic Policy Planning at the American Hospital Association, explored ways in which public opinion is formed – and how behavioral health providers can have an impact. Important steps in the process are assessing frankly where public opinion stands, building favorable awareness of mental health issues (for example, through informed public media and legislative champions), building advocacy, maintaining strong coalitions (and avoiding splintering on major issues when the goal is in sight), and thanking supporters (especially for preventing losses).

REPORTERS COVER ANNUAL MEETING

The involvement of the top decision-makers within the behavioral health field attracted a number of reporters to the 2002 Annual Meeting. Here NAPHS President Anil Godbole, M.D. (right) confers with Vic Simon, Editor of Behavioral Health Business News.

SPONSORS OFFER SOLUTIONS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
More than 25 major sponsors brought creative solutions to help meeting participants with clinical, administrative, and financial challenges. 

Yolanda Roman (center) and Jim Thornton of Janssen Pharmaceutica, Inc. (right) talk with NAPHS Board Member Debra Osteen, President of Behavioral Health, Universal Health Services, Inc.

ABSolute Integrated Solutions demonstrates resources available to behavioral healthcare providers.

Professional Risk Management Services (PMRS) provides information to Roy Ettlinger, MHA, Regional Vice President of Universal Health Services, Inc.

Sponsors such as AstraZeneca LP above share updates on their products at the 2002 NAPHS Annual Meeting.

NAPHS Board member Kevin Sheehan (left), President & CEO of Youth and Family Centered Services, talks with 2002 Annual Meeting sponsors, Karen Sheehan and Jim Merritt, Owen Pharmacy Management.

THE NAPHS ANNUAL MEETING BRINGS TOGETHER TOP CEOs and PHYSICIAN LEADERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

NAPHS Board member Joseph A. Flaherty, M.D., Professor & Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago (left), and Steven I. Altchuler, Ph.D., M.D., Medical Director, Mayo Clinic (right) visit with sponsors at the 2002 NAPHS Annual Meeting.

Rick Palmisano (left), CEO of Retreat Healthcare in Brattleboro, VT, talks with William Nolan, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Behavioral Health Services at Hillside Hospital, North Shore/Long Island Jewish Health System.

NAPHS Board Member Diane Holder (left), President of Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic/University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; and Isa Diaz (right), of Ramsay Youth Services, Inc. talk with NAPHS Director of Government Relations Kathleen M. Sheehan (center).

Harold I. Schwartz, M.D., Vice President Behavioral Health and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at The Institute of Living: Hartford Hospital, asks a question of speaker Tom Scully.

Patricia R. Recupero, J.D., M.D., President/CEO of Butler Hospital, introduces CMS Administrator Tom Scully at the 2002 NAPHS Annual Meeting.

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