An article recently published in the Courier-Journal, a newspaper that serves residents of Louisville, Kentucky, and Southern Indiana, sounded the warning bell about the shortage of mental health workers in Kentucky. According to a state-commissioned health workforce report, Kentucky currently needs 1,638 more mental health providers to meet current demand. *Keep in mind this article
Continue Reading.Monthly Archives: November 2013
Grant helps rural health information technology workforce and vets
In September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was awarded $5.3 million in grants to expand the rural health information technology (HIT) workforce and the use of telehealth to improve mental health services for veterans in rural areas. According to HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius, “This investment is designed to attract, train and
Continue Reading.New bill introduced to extend HIT to behavioral health
On September 19, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse introduced a bill to amend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to extend health information technology assistance eligibility to behavioral health, mental health and substance abuse professionals and facilities. As you may recall, the ARRA provided almost $20 billion in incentive funds for health information technology, but
Continue Reading.Annapolis Coalition leaders highlight workforce crisis in Health Affairs article
The November special issue of Health Affairs features an invited analysis and commentary on the behavioral health workforce written by a team assembled by Michael Hoge, Senior Science and Policy Advisor for the Coalition. The authors describe a mental health and addictions workforce facing longstanding issues, including shortages, high turnover, a lack of diversity, and
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