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Abstract #158339

Norah Mulvaney-Day, PhD¹, Andrea Ault, MPA¹, and Margarita Alegria, PhD². (1) Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, Cambridge Health Alliance, 120 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 02143, 617-503-8448, nmulvaney-day@charesearch.org, (2) Psychiatry/Center for Multicultural MH Research, Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance, 120 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 02143

This paper presents the theoretical framework and baseline data for a current study investigating the impact of the Massachusetts health insurance reform on mental health delivery for individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. As of July 2007, all uninsured Massachusetts residents who can afford it must purchase health insurance through the state-administered insurance plan. Individuals previously funded through the uncompensated care pool who are between 100% and 300% of the federal poverty line will be expected to contribute towards their insurance plan according to a sliding scale fee. Little is known about how the proposed health insurance changes will affect the delivery of mental health care for racial and ethnic minorities, particularly the foreign-born, or whether eligible individuals from these populations will choose to take-up the insurance option.

Baseline data is being collected from a convenience sample of racial and ethnic minorities at outpatient mental health clinics in a public health hospital system (n=70). Quantitative and qualitative information focuses on the service use patterns, experience with and knowledge of the insurance option, what the respondent intends to do regarding coverage options and mechanisms that may influence take-up of the insurance options. These data should provide some of the first information about how the insurance reforms will affect receipt of outpatient mental health treatment for minorities previously covered by the free care pool. Implications for policy-makers will be proposed to help guide future health insurance reforms and mental health policy in other states.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the changes that are occurring as a result of the health insurance reforms in Massachusetts and how these changes may affect those previously funded through the uncompensated care pool.
• Discuss the potential impact of these changes on the delivery of care for those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently receiving outpatient mental health services.
• Identify the factors that may impact the likelihood that individuals from this population will enroll in the insurance option.

Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.