Last week’s House passage of the American Health Care Act has many people wondering about the future of their healthcare coverage. For a variety of groups -- especially those who rely on Medicaid and those with mental health or substance use issues -- the new bill could make it more difficult and expensive to access care. The bill still has to pass the Senate, and a wide range of stakeholders, including those who sometimes find themselves on opposite sides of health policy debates are rallying together in support of revising it. But it’s not just lobbyists and lawmakers who have the ability to share their views. This is a critical moment for the future of healthcare, and we all must use our voices to protect access to mental health care for anyone who needs it.
When these types of legislative debates are going on, it can be difficult for individuals and families to understand exactly what is happening in policy and how best to get engaged. How can we advocate for ourselves, our families, and our communities? To get a better understanding of the health policy landscape as well as ways to advocate, we spoke with Flawless board member and Senior Policy Director at Mental Health America, Nathaniel Counts, J.D.
What is policy and why should we care?
Policies are the rules that shape our lives directly or indirectly, from the roads we drive on to what businesses are in our neighborhood. Health policies determine how much our health insurance costs, how far away the doctor is, and whether we get screenings when we go to the doctor for mental health. To begin advocating, it’s not necessary to know all the ins-and-outs of policy -- all you need to know is what you or others might need.
What does it mean to advocate?
“For mental health, it’s about understanding what you have now and what you do or don’t want to change. It’s sharing how you stay well now and how you would like to be well in the future,” Mr. Counts said. Even if you don’t know all the policies involved, if you can communicate what you need or what you would like to happen, the policymaker can keep that in mind and try to help you whenever an opportunity comes up. Of course, you don’t need to advocate only for yourself, you can advocate for your family members, your community, or even people you’ve never met but are concerned about.
How can someone get started in advocacy?
The most basic way to engage in advocacy is to contact lawmakers directly. It’s also the most effective, according to Mr. Counts. He recommends choosing the area you are most interested in or concerned about, thinking about what you need and what you want to see for yourself, your family, or your community, and taking that directly to your legislator. “Political leaders really do care about the needs of their constituents. When I am meeting with Members or staff, they remember individual stories that their constituents shared, and these personal stories affect their decisions and thought processes,” he said.
Will my advocacy really make a difference?
When we use our individual voices, whether through directly contacting legislators, or aligning with one of the advocacy groups, we can make a real difference on issues that we care about. Mr. Counts sees evidence of this all the time, and the knowledge that we all have the power to change things is what drives his work. Sometimes we forget that all we need to change federal law is for 278 people to agree – 60 Senators and 218 Representatives – and that can fundamentally change the way we address mental health in our nation.
Finally, we can change the system in other ways as well. We can focus on the health of communities and neighborhoods, and emphasize prevention. Mr. Counts suggests that simple things like mentoring, positive relationships, community involvement, and advocacy around issues related to mental health, like access to healthy food and safe drinking water, can all contribute to greater health. “Things like having people without family over at Thanksgiving, or even smiling at babies, which stimulates their brain development. We all have the opportunity to improve one another’s mental health beyond policy.” At Flawless, we share this belief that a holistic approach to healthcare could create the kind of radical transformation of our system that would put wellness within reach for all.
If you’re interested in joining the advocacy movement around the ACHA, contact your Senator and share your views. You can also take your concerns to an advocacy organization or coalition such as the ones below. Mr. Counts recommends reading the position statements of these groups to find the one that best aligns with your opinions and needs and, once you’ve decided which one resonates with you, sharing your story with them. Since the goal of these organizations and coalitions is to amplify the voice of a particular group on a given issue, your personal experiences and concerns inform and bolster their arguments.