The highlight for MPA of the 2013 Minnesota legislative session was the passage of our bill to allow psychologists to be reimbursed for consultation to primary care. Senator Julie Rosen shepherded the bill through the legislative process. A number of measures improving mental health services passed, in response to the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary. Examples included the extension of coverage for waivered services to individuals with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and increased technical assistance to provide in-school mental health services. Gun control legislation was a major focus at the legislature, though no changes ultimately occurred.

For the 2014 session, MPA will work on having psychologists listed as a profession that can direct a health care home. This will be important when behavioral health homes come into fruition. Behavioral health homes provide primary care services to individuals with serious mental illness in settings where they are most comfortable obtaining care. Recent research demonstrated that individuals with serious and persistent mental illness die on average 25 years sooner than their same age peers. Behavioral health homes are an effort to fill this gap and ensure that people with mental illness receive comprehensive care. Other organizations will be working on some changes to the commitment statutes and adding services to engage individuals in treatment who do not meet commitment criteria, are not necessarily in a crisis, but do need to develop a relationship with providers to engage in treatment.