In Case You Haven't Heard

Abstract

The fight over 42 CFR Part 2 isn't over, even though it didn't get into the opioid bill — which was passed by the full Senate 98–1 on Oct. 2. Last week, Patrick Kennedy, former congressman from Rhode Island, hosted the launch of “Don't Deny Me,” in conjunction with the 10‐year anniversary of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The focus was on integrating behavioral health care with the rest of medical care, with the goal of getting insurance coverage for addiction and mental disorders. Well, at this meeting, Elinore McCance‐Katz, M.D., Ph.D., assistant secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said, “There must be work done to align 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA.” She added that “you will see our administration work on this in the coming year,” and that doing this is “a huge piece of my own agenda” in coming to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Afterward, Kennedy himself was dismissive of grants, saying, “We do not treat cancer with block grants.” For the webcast of the meeting, go to http://bit.ly/2zQVOvx. McCance‐Katz starts to speak right after the hour mark.