Wisconsin Hospitals Team Up to Create ‘Extensive’ Mental Health Care Program for Children and Teens
Rogers Memorial Hospital, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and the Medical College of Wisconsin are collaborating to create the state's "most extensive" continuum of mental health care for children and teens, the Business Journal of Milwaukee reports. Although Rogers Memorial and Children's Hospital previously referred patients between facilities, the new program will allow the hospitals to collaborate on care delivery. The program will utilize inpatient care services at Rogers Memorial, outpatient clinics at Children's Hospital and faculty from the Medical College. Prior to implementing the program, each institution "did its own thing in terms of treatment," according to David Moulthrop, president of Rogers Memorial. The collaboration is an "attempt to tap into the strength," of the institutions, as well as compensate for various gaps in services, the Business Journal reports. For instance, Children's Hospital lacks inpatient mental health services, while Rogers Memorial does not have outpatient services. For its part, the Medical College hopes to "upgrade its child psychiatry program." Sara Stanton, former senior vice president at Rogers Memorial, said, "I think it's wonderful for the community. Anytime you can provide care that has easy access and a seamless delivery system, that's a real plus."
Working for Mental Health Parity
In other Wisconsin mental health news, the Coalition for Fairness in Mental Health & Substance Abuse Insurance is working with state Sen. Mary Panzer (R) to "push for" legislation that would require insurers to cover mental health treatment at the same level as treatment for physical ailments. Insurers now are limited to $7,000 per year for mental health, alcohol or drug abuse treatment. Coalition Chair Sarah Bowen said, "Employers are already facing huge increases in health costs without experiencing costs associated with mental health and substance abuse coverage" (Trewyn, Business Journal of Milwaukee, 2/19).
