See Parity Tracker www.paritytracker.org  -- great source for general information.

to stem our growing need for Mental Health crisis Management -- We Need Parity -- ACCEss to intensive mental health services

 “This (grant) has to do with the realization in Colorado that state resources to deal with mentally ill people are really lacking,” [Don Bird, Pitkin County Jail administrator] said. “It’s inexcusable.  It’s a realization that’s way past due.”

http://www.aspentimes.com/news/19366244-113/pitkin-county-jail-gets-grant-to-provide-inmates 
           People who use Colorado Medicaid mental health services, family members, as well as their Advocates and other Stakeholders as well also need to have a voice in the assessment of Colorado Medicaid's compliance with vital Parity laws.​       
            

Val's Take

Colorado is trying to improve its capability-- AND it is improving it.

​It's just things are pretty bad. . . . And They're connected.  

When there is not enough housing or intensive services in the community, You're going to have more crises --that's why the Legislative Oversight Bill for $2.7 Million in Housing & Supportive Housing services for people re-entering the community from jail or prison is so incredibly important.

it's just not near enough.

Further, A lot of commentators have noted, included Nationally & Internationally recognized clinicians, that people with physical health needs would Not put up with the lack of access to care & poor quality that people in the mental health community are often too sick to protest & routinely experience as a matter of course.


Below CMS Faq re: parity​

On March 29, 2016 CMS put on display at the Federal Register a final rule applying MHPAEA [Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equity Act] to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP.)

​States have 18 months from that date to comply or September 30, 2017.