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Grading the States 2009 Report Card: Massachusetts
In 2006, Massachusetts’ mental health care system received a grade of C, barely above the national average. Three years later, its grade has risen to B. This improvement coincided with a relatively calm economy, but the Commonwealth has now hit turbulent times. Full narrative (PDF).
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Health Promotion and Measurement: B 25% of Total Grade
Basic measures, such as the number of programs delivering evidence-based practices,
emergency room wait-times, and the quantity of psychiatric beds by setting.
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Financing & Core Treatment/Recovery Services: B 45% of Total Grade
A variety of financing measures, such as whether Medicaid reimburses providers for all, or part of evidence-based practices; and more.
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Consumer & Family Empowerment: C 15% of Total Grade
Includes measures such as consumer and family access to essential information from the
state, promotion of consumer-run programs, and family and peer education and support.
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Community Integration and Social Inclusion: C 15% of Total Grade
Includes activities that require collaboration among state mental health agencies and other state agencies and systems.
Innovations
- Comprehensive health care reform efforts
- State parity law expansion
- National model for reduction of use of restraints and seclusion
- Clinical performance measures for Medicaid carve-out
Urgent Needs
- Restore funds for supported employment and day services
- Restore funding and expand jail diversion programs
- Address prison suicide crisis
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"The service system is stretched to the breaking point."
"Lack of continuity of care ... we go from crisis to crisis."
"I would not be alive if it were not for the help of services here."
