Emerging
Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.

COVID-19 Emergency Reforms in Massachusetts to Support Behavioral Health Care and Reduce Mortality of People With Serious Mental Illness

Bartels, S. J., Baggett, T. P., Freudenreich, O., Bird, B. L.

Release Date:

Summary Report/Recommendations

Policy Change/ Development
Healthcare Access and Quality
Tools Included
Outside U.S.
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Mitigation and Prevention

This article describes policy, regulatory, and payment reforms implemented in Massachusetts in response to people with serious mental illnesses that are at disproportionate risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The reforms include: (1) ensuring continuity of care for individuals with serious mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) supporting community-based behavioral health organizations.

Resource Details

Outcomes of Interest

Reduction of Health Disparities

Priority Population(s)

People With a Mental Illness

Setting(s) of Implementation

Geographic Area of Implementation

Urban

Implementation Period

2020