Oral

In celebration of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Section’s 25th Anniversary, four national experts and advocates of the substance abuse treatment system will describe both the mental health parity and addiction equity act and anticipated implications of the health reform on the provision of substance abuse services from four different vantage points. The session’s goal is to orient attendees in the today’s substance abuse treatment system and lead attendees through the influences, variables, anticipated challenges which will impact the future of the substance abuse treatment system and its reimbursement system. In the first presentation, John O’Brien will describe the mental health parity and substance abuse equity act and how it both will influence but stand alone as a funder of substance abuse prevention and treatment services. In the second presentation, Victor Capoccia will present on the substance abuse treatment gap and the challenges faced by providers and clients as during the time of this transition. Rear Admiral Donald Weaver will be the third presenter who will speak to role of the Community Health Centers and Rural Health Centers in the provision of substance abuse treatment services as connected to health reform. Last, Kim Johnson will present on the workforce development issues in both the substance abuse treatment and the primary care systems. Q& A will follow and will be moderated by Ann Mahony.

Session Objectives: Explain the health center model of care. Discuss the factors that optimize the integration of primary and behavioral health care.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)