1. Effective Advocacy for Adequate Mental Health Funding
Presented by: Paul A. Jeffrey,
Vice President – Administrator
Wesley Long Community Hospital
Greensboro, North Carolina
Member of AHA Section for Psychiatric & Substance Abuse Services Governing Council

2. Advocacy: An Imperative
Healthcare in America
To Corporate America: Optional Cost of Doing Business
To Insurance Industry: Losses
Behavioral Health Challenges
Stigma
Not Medical
Denial
Sign of Weakness

3. Leadership: Working on the System vs in the System
Dynamic: Pro-Active vs Reactive
Yesterday: missed opportunity; Tomorrow: too late.
Focus: Leading People vs Managing Work
Energy: Passion vs Control
You are either on the way or in the way.

4. Link Your Political Power Your Patients & Community
Schedule the Appointment
Prepare for the Meeting
Stay Focused
Be prompt but Patient
Leave Something Behind
Follow-up
Visit Frequently

5. Strategic Plan Active Roles in Behavioral Health Advocacy Local:
Mental Health Association – Greensboro:
Grant Recipient for Community Service Gap Analysis
Establishment of County Mental Court; Concept and Funding
Guilford County Mental Health Coalition
United Way of Greensboro:
Joseph B. Bryan Foundation Human Services Committee
State:
NCHA, NCMHA, NCNAMI
Increased NC MH/SA/DD Annual Budget by $100MM
Emphasized funding support of existent community hospitals instead of free-standing crisis centers.
Mental Health Parity

6. Strategic Plan (continued)
National
AHA of Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services Governing Council
Grassroots efforts to stop Medicaid Rule that Cuts Funding
Grassroots Efforts to Reauthorize and Expand SCHIP
Unified Health Care Policy
IMD EMTALA
Mental Health Parity