title: The Affordable Care Act for behavioral health consumers and families.
abstract: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is legislation that might ultimately make health insurance coverage available to all Americans. The ACA is scheduled for full implementation in 2014. Many decisions are still being made concerning implementation. Provisions of the ACA are of paramount importance to persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This is a brief overview of key elements of the ACA and potential effects on consumers of behavioral health services and their families. Behavioral health consumers and their families include persons with mental illnesses, as well as persons with substance use disorders, and their families.
authors: a Allied Health , Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College , South Charleston , West Virginia , USA.
authors: Ted J
authors: TJ
authors: Johnson
authors: David H
authors: DH
authors: Sanders
authors: Judy L
authors: JL
authors: Stange
mesh_terms: D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010346:Patient Care Management; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States
keywords: access; advocacy; case management services; community mental health; disability rights; mental illness; substance abuse; volunteerism