November 18, 2021
Mental Health
  • At the recent National Association of Medicaid Directors conference, Vikki Wachino, former CMS Director/Deputy Administrator of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, shared her thoughts about the imperative to deliver for kids’ mental health. Vikki outlined two steps we must take to “do right” for kids’ mental health: 1) prevent as many kids as possible from experiencing mental health problems and 2) expand access to services to children when they do face mental health and or substance use issues. She states that taking action now, would “build a stronger society – and a stronger health system — by strengthening the next generation, because children who experience mental health challenges are more likely to experience mental illness, addiction, and other chronic physical health conditions as adults.” (Remarks here)