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Health care payments continue to evolve and shift away from fee‐for‐service payment systems that typically reward volume and move to value‐based payment (VBP) models that incentivize high‐quality, cost‐effective care. While this is happening more for physical health services, there's more uncertainty about the role of behavioral health. A new white paper aims to tackle that question with information about existing models that have been implemented along with recommendations for federal and state policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of the 29th annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Law that was held on November 7-8, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. According to the author, the symposium attracted about 200 mental health professionals, providers, consumers, and field leaders to address important components for the field in working for consumers with mental health issues and service delivery.

The article discusses the highlights of the U.S. Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations' hearing to examine the shortage of beds for inpatient psychiatric care on March 26, 2014. Topics discussed include the advocacy groups' submission of comments that seek the repeal of the Medicaid Institution for Mental Disease (IMD) exclusion and examination of the effects of bed shortage to consumers with serious mental illness, hospital care and communities.