MENTAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE INC
252 MAIN STREET, METUCHEN, NJ 08840 www.thekennedyforum.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: FORMED IN 2014, MENTAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE, INC. (MHLI) - DBA "THE KENNEDY FORUM" - WAS FOUNDED TO ADVANCE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMMING FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH (CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2) AND ADDICTION; UNITE ADVOCATES, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN DEVELOPING AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE; AND ADVOCATE FOR THOSE LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CHALLENGES.THE KENNEDY FORUM FURTHER SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE U.S. HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BY: - PUSHING FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008. - IDENTIFYING AND ADVANCING STANDARDIZED CLINICAL PRACTICES AND EVIDENCE-BASED MEASUREMENT TOOLS THAT WILL IMPROVE PATIENT CARE AND OUTCOMES. - UTILIZING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, PROMOTING INNOVATIVE CARE MODELS AND BETTER COORDINATION OF SERVICES. - LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND QUALITY OF CARE ACROSS THE NATION.

SEE PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 1.

PARTNERSHIPS: MENTAL HEALTH FOR US - IN 2019, MENTAL HEALTH FOR US, A NONPARTISAN EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE, WAS CREATED TO ELEVATE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION IN POLICY CONVERSATIONS DURING THE 2020 ELECTION CYCLE. THE INITIATIVE, WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY MORE THAN 100 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, PRESENTS A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY PLATFORM WITH THREE MAIN FOCUS AREAS: PREVENTION, ACCESS AND INTERVENTION, AND RECOVERY. FORMER U.S. REP. PATRICK J. KENNEDY (D-RI) AND FORMER SENATOR GORDON SMITH (R-OR) SERVE AS CO-CHAIRS. (CONTINUED ON SCH O)(CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - PARTNERSHIPS)MENTAL HEALTH FOR US CREATED A 95-ORGANIZATION COALITION TO ELEVATE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CONVERSATIONS DURING THE GENERAL ELECTION CYCLE. NEARLY 14,000 PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED DURING THREE HIGH-PROFILE GRASSROOTS EVENTS AND SURVEYED LEADING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH PLATFORMS, KICKING OFF OUR POLICYMAKER AND VOTER ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS AHEAD OF THE 2020 ELECTIONS.THE 2019 TOWN HALL EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE AROUND THE COUNTRY TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE VOTERS WERE: -JUNE, 2019 LAUNCH, AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION ADVOCACY; WASHINGTON, DC -SEPTEMBER 27, 2019, DRAKE UNIVERSITY, DES MOINES, IOWA -DECEMBER 16, 2019, SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE, MANCHESTER, NHKENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS - THE KENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS, LLC, (TKFI), FORMALIZED IN 2016, IS A SINGLE MEMBER LLC (A DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR TAX PURPOSES) OF MHLI. FOUNDED BY ILLINOIS CIVIC LEADERS AND PATRICK J. KENNEDY, TKFI WORKS TO ADVANCE THE KENNEDY FORUM MISSION IN ILLINOIS. TKFI IS SUPPORTED BY A STRONG, VISIBLE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. PRIORITIES INCLUDE: -FIGHTING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION THROUGH HIGH-IMPACT COMMUNICATIONS; -INCREASING THE MENTAL HEALTH STRENGTH OF THE WORKFORCE; AND -DEVELOPING STRONG STATE POLICY RESPONSES TO MHSUD PARITY AND EQUITY WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF HAVING ILLINOIS SERVE AS A MODEL PARITY STATE.IN 2019, TKFI DIRECTLY IMPACTED THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CITY OF CHICAGO, AND THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CHALLENGES. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED: -ON THE TABLE: TKFI ENGAGED A DIVERSE GROUP OF ILLINOISANS IN THE "ON THE TABLE" INITIATIVE, DESIGNED TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN DISCUSSIONS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TO IMPACT STIGMA. THE PROGRAM HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH OVER 150 CONVERSATIONS TOUCHING WELL OVER 2,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY AND STATE, IN OVER 60 ZIP CODES. IN ADDITION, A FACEBOOK GROUP WAS CREATED WHICH INTERACTED WITH PEOPLE AND HOSTS THROUGHOUT THE OTT PROCESS, PROVIDING TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CONVERSATIONS AND WAYS TO STAY ENGAGED AFTER THE CONVERSATION. -5TH ANNUAL FORUM: THE JUNE 2019 ANNUAL CONVENING -- "WORKING WELL: INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES IN WORKPLACE WELL-BEING" - WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 500 INDIVIDUALS AND GENERATED THOUSANDS OF MEDIA IMPRESSIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE. THE 2019 CONVENING FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AS A STRATEGY FOR COMBATTING RISING RATES OF OVERDOSES AND SUICIDES NATIONWIDE. STRESS, BURNOUT, ADDICTION, AND DEPRESSION ULTIMATELY COST EMPLOYERS BILLIONS IN PRODUCTIVITY AND HEALTHCARE-RELATED EXPENSES. THIS FORUM CONVENED ADVOCATES, EMPLOYERS, HR PROFESSIONALS, LABOR LEADERS, AND OTHERS TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON WORKPLACE WELL-BEING, AND, IN TURN, CREATE A BETTER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR ALL. -SOUTH SIDE PROJECT: DELIVERED FREE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING TO NEARLY 1,000 COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS FROM CHICAGO'S FAR SOUTH SIDE. THE TRAININGS INCLUDED INFORMATION ABOUT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH, WHERE TO FIND RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WHEN AND HOW TO CONTACT A SPECIALLY TRAINED POLICE OFFICER IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. -POLICY: UNDER LEADERSHIP BY TKFI, ILLINOIS ENACTED THE STRONGEST STATE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION PARITY LAW IN THE COUNTRY IN ORDER TO HELP END INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION. THE ORGANIZATION WORKED WITH STATE GOVERNMENT AND DEPARTMENTS TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE PARITY LAW WHILE EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW.TKFI RAISED $1,071,689 IN 2019 IN SUPPORT OF ITS INITIATIVES.SUTTER HEALTH-THE KENNEDY FORUM CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE - THE KENNEDY FORUM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STEINBERG INSTITUTE, MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN 2019 TOWARD IMPROVING COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT AND INSURER COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL PARITY LAWS. AFTER THE LANDMARK COURT MENTAL HEALTH DECISION WIT V. UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (UBH) FROM THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, THE KENNEDY FORUM AND STEINBERG INSTITUTE ADVANCED A CALIFORNIA RESOLUTION (ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 98) HIGHLIGHTING THE WIT DECISION AND CALLING FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY DETERMINATIONS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE. IT PASSED THE ASSEMBLY OVERWHELMINGLY IN AUGUST BY A MARGIN OF 77 TO 0. IN MID 2019, THE KENNEDY FORUM HIRED A SUTTER HEALTH/KENNEDY FORUM FELLOW, WHO WAS PIVOTAL IN THE PASSAGE OF ACR 98 THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY. IN OCTOBER, THE KENNEDY FORUM AND STEINBERG INSTITUTE HELD A LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING FOR MORE THAN 50 LEGISLATIVE STAFF AND ADVOCATES ON MEDICAL NECESSITY AND ENSURING COVERAGE FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE. IN LATE 2019, THE KENNEDY FORUM AND STEINBERG INSTITUTE WORKED ON LEGISLATION, SECURING SPONSORS FOR TWO KEY BILLS FOR THE 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH WERE SUBSEQUENTLY INTRODUCED.THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY IN THE SATCHER HEALTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AT MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE - THE KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY (KSCMHE) WORKS COLLABORATIVELY TOWARD EQUAL TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS THROUGH TARGETED EFFORTS TO AGGREGATE AND ELEVATE PARITY IMPLEMENTATION WORK, CONDUCT RESEARCH, AND ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY. 2019 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: -PARITY: - MENTAL HEALTH PARITY SCORECARDS. BUILDING ON THE MOMENTUM FROM THE TWO REPORTS AND 50 STATE REPORT CARDS EVALUATING STATES PARITY LAWS, KSCMHE STAFF COMMUNICATED WITH OVER A DOZEN STATES THAT REQUESTED DATA ON THEIR SCORES AND EXPLORING STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT. THE STAFF ALSO SECURED FUNDING TO CONDUCT FURTHER LEGAL EPIDEMIOLOGY ANALYSIS OF STATE PARITY LAWS. -EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH: - COMPLETION OF THE INTEGRATED CARE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (ICLP). ICLP PROVIDES CLINICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING NEEDED TO BUILD OR STRENGTHEN CAPACITY TO SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP AND SUSTAIN INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES. THE OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY AMONG ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, MINORITY, AND LOWER INCOME POPULATIONS. IN 2018-2019, KSCMHE/ICLP PARTNERED WITH M3 INFORMATION, LLC TO PILOT THEIR INSTRUMENT (PREVIOUSLY VALIDATED IN ADULT POPULATIONS) WITH ADOLESCENT PATIENTS AT PARTICIPATING ICLP SITES IN KENTUCKY AND SOUTH CAROLINA. - ATLANTA-FULTON COUNTY PRE-ARREST DIVERSION. THE ATLANTA/FULTON COUNTY PRE-ARREST DIVERSION (PAD) INITIATIVE IS A TWO-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM THAT SEEKS TO OFFER ALTERNATIVES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ARRESTED FOR CRIMES THAT STEM FROM ADDICTION OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. EVALUATION DESIGN AND ACTIVITIES WERE COMPLETED AND A FINAL REPORT ON RECIDIVISM AMONG PAD PARTICIPANTS WAS SUBMITTED. - GOAL-DIRECTED RESILIENCE INTERVENTION TRAINING (PROJECT GRIT). PROJECT GRIT IS AN NIMHD-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECT THAT BUILDS RESILIENCE AMONG BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD). IN 2019, KSCMHE PARTNERED WITH THE EMORY UNIVERSITY GRADY TRAUMA PROJECT (GTP) FOR PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT AND DATA COLLECTION, ADAPTED THE INTERVENTION CURRICULUM FOR CULTURAL RELEVANCE FOR BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN, AND DEVELOPED A MANUAL OF OPERATIONS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES (MOPP) TO GUIDE THE RESEARCH PROJECT. -DEVELOPING HEALTH LEADERS: - COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVANCED BY MEDICAL PRACTICE SUPERSTARS (CHAMPS). CHAMPS IS A YEAR-LONG TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP THAT EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS EARLY/MID-CAREER PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS PRACTICING IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS OF METROPOLITAN ATLANTA AND RURAL GEORGIA WHO ARE IN EMERGING LEADERSHIP ROLES TO LEAD CHANGE WITHIN THEIR INSTITUTIONS, LARGER SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENTS, AND AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. THE CHAMPS CURRICULUM INCLUDED MODULES FROM THE ICLP, AND THE FELLOWS WERE TRAINED IN HEALTH POLICY AND ADVOCACY. THE FIRST COHORT OF CHAMPS FELLOWS COMPLETED THE PROGRAM AND THE SECOND COHORT BEGAN IN AUGUST 2019.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION:GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS:THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO PROMOTE AND UPDATE THE FIVE KEY PUBLIC PILLARS IT DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT: (CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - POLICY DEVELOPMENT-GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS) PILLAR 1: PARITY COMPLIANCE/PAYER ACCOUNTABILITY PILLAR 2: PROVIDER ACCOUNTABILITY AND QUALITY PILLAR 3: INTEGRATION AND COLLABORATIVE CARE PILLAR 4: TECHNOLOGY - ASSESSMENT/TREATMENT TOOLS AND ENTERPRISE-WIDE SOLUTIONS PILLAR 5: BRAIN HEALTH & FITNESSTHESE INTERLOCKING POLICY PILLARS MUST ALL BE ADDRESSED TO OPTIMIZE THE KENNEDY FORUM'S MISSION OF PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CLINICAL AND FINANCIAL OUTCOMES. THE KENNEDY FORUM WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE AND LEVERAGE EXISTING AND NEW RELATIONSHIPS TO ENCOURAGE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIVE PILLARS TOWARD THE SYSTEM WE NEED IN HEALTH CARE WITH THE GOALS OF REALIZING PARITY AND HEALTH EQUITY.THROUGHOUT 2019, FORMER CONGRESSMAN PATRICK J. KENNEDY, ON BEHALF OF THE KENNEDY FORUM, DELIVERED KEYNOTE SPEECHES, HELD MEETINGS, AND PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS AT OVER 50 EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND INTERNATIONALLY. THE PURPOSE OF VIRTUALLY ALL OF THESE EVENTS WAS TO PROMOTE THE POLICY DEVELOPED AND ADVOCATED BY THE KENNEDY FORUM. THESE EVENTS INCLUDED: -KEYNOTE, BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER/WELL BEING TRUST MENTAL HEALTH ROUNDTABLE; WASHINGTON, DC -KEYNOTE: AN URGENT MATTER OF ACCESS: PURSUING PARITY AMID THE GREATEST PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS OF OUR TIME, AND RECEIPT OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD, NATIONAL COUNCIL CONFERENCE; NASHVILLE, TN -PANEL DISCUSSION WITH GAREN STAGLIN, MARTHA TEMPLE, HLTH CONFERENCE; LAS VEGAS, NV -KEYNOTE, EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE ROUNDTABLE: HOW LARGE EMPLOYERS CAN HELP; OMAHA NE -AVIA MEDICAID TRANSFORMATION PROJECT; CHICAGO, IL -PANEL DISCUSSION WITH DR. KENNETH ROSENBERG, IPS 2019 THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CONFERENCE; NEW YORK, NY -PANEL DISCUSSION, THE SILENT STIGMA: HEALING THE BRAIN WITH CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD, BRANDON MARSHALL, AND DR. MEHMET OZ, EIGHTH ANNUAL FORBES HEALTHCARE SUMMIT; NEW YORK, NY -PANEL DISCUSSION WITH DR. JOON YUN, 10TH ANNUAL WORTH POWER 100: REIMAGINING CAPITALISM; NEW YORK, NY -KEYNOTE UCONN: MENTAL HEALTH IS ESSENTIAL HEALTH; STORRS, CT -SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRANTMAKERS: FORESIGHT PHILANTHROPY -ALEXANDRIA SUMMIT NEUROSCIENCE 2019; NEW YORK, NY -KEYNOTE, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRANTMAKERS: FORESIGHT PHILANTHROPY; LOS ANGELES, CA -KEYNOTE: THRESHOLDS 60TH ANNIVERSARY GALA; CHICAGO, IL -KEYNOTE, GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH AT HARVARD INITIATIVE 'OPEN DAY; CAMBRIDGE, MA -BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER MENTAL HEALTH EVENT; NEW YORK, NY -HEARST TOWN & COUNTRY PHILANTHROPY SUMMIT; NEW YORK, NY -FLORIDA ADULT DRUG COURT TRAINING CONFERENCE, SARASOTA, FL -KEYNOTE, THE NATIONAL RECOVERY CONFERENCE; PUNTA GORDA, FL -KEYNOTE, RHODE ISLAND HIGHER EDUCATION SUMMIT ON MENTAL HEALTH; PROVIDENCE, RI -KEYNOTE, FIRST FRIDAY CLUB; CHICAGO, IL -DUKE LAW FORUM KEYNOTE; CORAL GABLES, FLIN ADDITION TO THE EVENTS ABOVE, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KENNEDY FORUM WERE INVITED TO COLLABORATE AND STRATEGIZE WITH MANY STAKEHOLDERS IN MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE INCLUDING THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, WORLD BANK, WELL BEING TRUST, TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH, MILKEN INSTITUTE, AND OTHERS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE KENNEDY FORUM IS REPRESENTED ON SEVERAL COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, INCLUDING: -ADVISORY COUNCIL, WELL BEING TRUST (WBT), A NATIONAL FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE MENTAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF THE NATION. LED BY CLINICAL, COMMUNITY, AND POLICY INNOVATORS, WELL BEING TRUST BRINGS AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND RECOVERY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE ISSUES, WHILE PRIORITIZING AN UPSTREAM FOCUS ON RESILIENCE AND WELL-BEING IN COMMUNITIES. -STEERING COMMITTEE, WELL BEING WORKING GROUP (LED BY TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH), WHICH MEETS ONCE A MONTH TO DEFINE POLICY PRIORITIES FOR UPSTREAM PREVENTION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND SPOTLIGHT NEW STUDIES AND INITIATIVES THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. -EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER, NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION. THE NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION IS THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ADVANCING THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION, THAT ENVISIONS A NATION FREE FROM THE TRAGIC EXPERIENCE OF SUICIDE. THEIR MISSION IS TO CHAMPION SUICIDE PREVENTION AS A NATIONAL PRIORITY; CATALYZE EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT HIGH PRIORITY OBJECTIVES OF THE NSSP; AND CULTIVATE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO SUSTAIN PROGRESS. -COUNCIL LEADERSHIP, UNITED STATES OF CARE. UNITED STATES OF CARE IS A MOVEMENT TO ENSURE EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN HAS ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE REGARDLESS OF HEALTH STATUS, SOCIAL NEED OR INCOME.

PARITY IMPLEMENTATION:THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 (MHPAEA OR PARITY LAW) PROMISED EQUITY IN THE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT, BUT YEARS LATER THE LAW IS STILL NOT PROPERLY ENFORCED AND MANY AMERICANS CONTINUE TO BE DENIED CARE.(CONTINUED ON SCH O) (CONTINUED FROM 990 PAGE 2 - PARITY IMPLEMENTATION AND EDUCATION)IN 2019, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED WORKING WITH POLICYMAKERS AND REGULATORS TO PUSH FOR CLEAR REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW IN THE COMMERCIAL MARKET, IN MEDICAID MANAGED CARE, AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM; CALLED FOR STRONG, PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW; AND WORKED TO PROMOTE EDUCATION OF PARITY AND RIGHT OF APPEALS.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AND AUGMENT PARITY TRACK, A CUSTOM WEBSITE PLATFORM, THAT LOOKS AT IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE LENSES OF LEGISLATION, REGULATION, AND LITIGATION. EACH STATE'S PROGRESS IS VISUALIZED ON THE WEBSITE, AND MODEL LEGISLATION WAS DEVELOPED TO AID STATE POLICYMAKERS AND ADVOCATES.IN 2017, THE KENNEDY FORUM DEVELOPED A RESOURCE GUIDE "NAVIGATING THE NEW FRONTIER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION: A GUIDE FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS." THE GUIDE OUTLINES WHAT EACH MEMBER CAN DO TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE, REGARDLESS OF PARTY OR COMMITTEE, TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES, BREAK DOWN BARRIERS TO CARE, AND IMPROVE THE WAY OUR SOCIETY APPROACHES MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION OUTSIDE OF CLINICAL SETTINGS. IN 2019, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH WELL BEING TRUST TO UPDATE AND AUGMENT THE SECOND ITERATION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS GUIDE, WHICH WAS RELEASED IN EARLY 2020. THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO SUPPORT PARITYREGISTRY.ORG, A WEBSITE WHERE CONSUMERS CAN LEARN TO FILE APPEALS FOR UNLAWFUL DENIALS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT COVERAGE; REGISTER COMPLAINTS AGAINST THEIR HEALTH PLANS; FIND CONTACT INFO FOR CONSUMER ADVOCATES, HEALTH PLANS, AND STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORS; AND MORE. DATA FROM THE SITE IS USED TO HELP SHAPE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND INFLUENCE FUTURE LEGISLATION.IN 2018, TO AUGMENT PARITY REGISTRY, THE KENNEDY FORUM CREATED A CONSUMER-FACING COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN AND WEBSITE-DONTDENYME.ORG-IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT (MHPAEA) OF 2008. IN 2019, THIS CAMPAIGN CONTINUED TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS, PROVIDERS, AND ADVOCATES ABOUT PATIENT RIGHTS UNDER THE FEDERAL PARITY LAW AND CONNECT THEM WITH ESSENTIAL APPEALS GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES (THROUGH PARITYREGISTRY.ORG). CONSUMERS CAN DOWNLOAD HELPFUL FACT SHEETS AND INFOGRAPHICS. PROVIDERS CAN DOWNLOAD PRINT-READY BROCHURES AND POSTERS FOR THEIR OFFICES TO HELP INFORM PATIENTS OF PARITY RIGHTS AND DO THEIR PART TO STOP DISCRIMINATORY INSURANCE DENIALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE. ADVOCATES CAN DOWNLOAD A LETTER TEMPLATE TO EDUCATE EMPLOYERS ABOUT THEIR OBLIGATIONS REGARDING HEALTH PLANS. UNIONS CAN DOWNLOAD AN ISSUE BRIEF EXPLAINING HOW TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THEIR MEMBERS. MORE THAN 25 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED THE CAMPAIGN TO DATE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY DIRECTORS; LEGAL ACTION CENTER; THE CARTER CENTER; AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTION MEDICINE; NAMI; WELL BEING TRUST; MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA; PARITY IMPLEMENTATION COALITION; NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; SHATTERPROOF; FACES AND VOICES OF RECOVERY; AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION; SCATTERGOOD FOUNDATION; FACING ADDICTION; PEG'S FOUNDATION; NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE; KENNEDY-SATCHER CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY; CENTER ON ADDICTION; PARTNERSHIP FOR DRUG-FREE KIDS; AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION; INTERNATIONAL BIPOLAR FOUNDATION; PROJECT HEAL; DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE; FOUNTAIN HOUSE; AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION; FOUNTAIN HOUSE; COMMUNITY CATALYST; AND AMERICAN MENTAL WELLNESS ASSOCIATION. EACH MONTH, THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE A SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT FOR PARTNERS DEVELOPED AROUND VARIOUS HOLIDAYS AND/OR OBSERVANCES-IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE TIMELY DON'T DENY ME PROMOTIONS WITH FOLLOWERS, MEMBERS, AND SUPPORTERS. THE DON'T DENY ME CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN FEATURED IN MANY MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS, INCLUDING USA TODAY, THE WASHINGTON POST, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, CNN, AND MORE.THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUES TO CONVENE A LEGAL TASK FORCE, CONSISTING OF LAWYERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, TO DISCUSS AND DISSEMINATE DECIDED AND ACTIVE CASES INVOLVING PARITY AND/OR HEALTH EQUITY, AS WELL AS REVIEW ATTORNEYS GENERAL PRESSURES ON INSURERS TO SECURE PARITY AND DRAFT LEGISLATION FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE PARITY LAW. THE KENNEDY FORUM CONTINUED TO CONVENE THE STATE PARITY LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE WORKGROUP AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STATES' ENFORCEMENT OF THE FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT AND RELATED STATE-BASED LAWS. MORE THAN 100 NATIONAL AND STATE ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE. ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WORKGROUP MEMBERS SHARE INFORMATION AND BEST PRACTICES TO FURTHER EFFORTS IN THEIR STATES. AS PART OF ITS STATE-BASED EFFORTS TO ENFORCE PARITY AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE, THE KENNEDY FORUM HAS DEVELOPED MODEL STATE LEGISLATION, WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY MORE THAN A HALF-DOZEN NATIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS.COLORADO, NEW JERSEY, CONNECTICUT, AND DC ALL ENACTED STATE PARITY LAWS IN 2019, INFORMED BY THE KENNEDY FORUM'S MODEL STATE PARITY LEGISLATION. ADDITIONALLY, ILLINOIS' NEW PARITY LAW, WHICH WAS PASSED IN 2018 THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE KENNEDY FORUM ILLINOIS AND ITS PARTNERS, BECAME EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 1, 2019. THE KENNEDY FORUM TEAM WAS HAPPY TO WORK WITH DEDICATED ADVOCATES AND POLICYMAKERS, MENTAL HEALTH CONNECTICUT, MENTAL HEALTH COLORADO, NCADD-NEW JERSEY, AND THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION TO HELP HOLD INSURERS ACCOUNTABLE UNDER THE FEDERAL PARITY LAW. NEW YORK ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHENED ITS PARITY REQUIREMENTS IN 2019 BY ENACTING VERY SUCCESSFUL PARITY PROVISIONS AS PART OF ITS STATE BUDGET.IN WIT V. UNITED HEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY, 11 PLAINTIFFS, ON BEHALF OF MORE THAN 50,000 PATIENTS, SUED UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (UBH) FOR WRONGFULLY DENYING MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT COVERAGE. IN MARCH 2019, A FEDERAL JUDGE FOUND THAT UBH, THE LARGEST MANAGED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY, DEVELOPED REVIEW CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING THE MEDICAL NECESSITY OF CLAIMS FOR OUTPATIENT, INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT, AND RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS THAT WAS INCONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE, AND WAS WRONGLY INFLUENCED BY A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO SUPPRESS COSTS. TO AMPLIFY THIS LANDMARK RULING, THE KENNEDY FORUM SENT A SERIES OF LETTERS ABOUT WIT TO STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS, INCLUDING STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL, INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS, HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI, AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL. AWARENESS IS SPREADING. IN RESPONSE TO THE RULING, CALIFORNIA HAS ALREADY PASSED RESOLUTION ACR 98, WHICH REQUIRES INSURERS TO USE MEDICAL NECESSITY CRITERIA THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE. NEW YORK WILL ALSO NOW REQUIRE THAT MEDICAL NECESSITY CRITERIA USED BY INSURERS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE STATE'S OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH-AND BE FULLY CONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF CARE.ACCORDING TO A 2019 STUDY BY MILLIMAN, MORE THAN 70,000 AMERICANS DIED OF OVERDOSES IN 2017, YET INSURERS SPENT JUST 1% OF THEIR TOTAL HEALTH CARE REIMBURSEMENT ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS-A DECREASE COMPARED TO TWO YEARS EARLIER. 2019 MILLIMAN DATA ALSO SHOWED THAT INSURERS ARE BY AND LARGE FAILING TO ADDRESS HUGE OUT-OF-NETWORK UTILIZATION DISPARITIES BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH/ADDICTION AND MEDICAL/SURGICAL CARE FOR INPATIENT FACILITIES, OUTPATIENT FACILITIES, AND OFFICE VISITS. THIS MEANS MORE PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR CRITICAL CARE. TO ENCOURAGE ACTION AROUND THE NEW MILLIMAN DATA, THE KENNEDY FORUM, ALONG WITH CONGRESSMAN JIM RAMSTAD AND THE HEADS OF NAMI AND MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA, SUBMITTED A LETTER TO TWO COMMITTEES CALLING FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON MENTAL HEALTH PARITY. MOVEMENT ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS URGED WITH THE GOAL BEING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO CARE AND HOLD INSURERS ACCOUNTABLE UNDER THE LAW.

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