Title
Recognizing and Honoring Philadelphia's Community Behavioral Health Organization on the Occasion of its 20th Anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, In 1997, Philadelphia began its own Community Behavioral Health (CBH)
Organization in partnership with the Commonwealth's Health Choices program. CBH, a not-for-profit organization, was structured to administer behavioral health services and support for Philadelphians enrolled in Medicaid; and
WHEREAS, At the time of CBH's inception, Philadelphia was the only municipality in the United States to offer this type of care to its residents. By collaborating with the state to offer behavioral health support, CBH tailored treatment to meet the needs of Philadelphians; and
WHEREAS, Community Behavioral Health contracts with the City to perform utilization review, quality management, provider network management, and fiscal oversight and accountability for the individuals currently enrolled in the Medical Assistance program; and
WHEREAS, Prior to Community Behavioral Health, Philadelphia had a long history of offering behavioral health programs for those who were uninsured or underinsured. However, the City had little say in how health services were delivered to Medicaid recipients; and
WHEREAS, Community Behavioral Health has helped consumers of mental health and substance abuse services and their family members achieve a greater voice in the quality of the services they receive; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has realized substantial savings through improved management efficiencies that are being reinvested to expand services even further; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's system for the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective, managed behavioral health services to the public sector has become a national model; and
WHEREAS, Community Behavioral Health has increased access to treatment and has implemented better coordination of services across all jurisdictions and funding streams; and
WHEREAS, Community Behavior...
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