Freestanding behavioural health systems have formed a new coalition, the Texas Association of Behavioral Health Systems (TABHS), to address the critical health crisis in Texas, US.
The association comprises various healthcare providers, including Lifepoint Health, Palm Behavioral Health, Signature Healthcare Services, and Summit BHC.
Representing more than 65 freestanding hospitals, TABHS aims to be a unified voice for Texas policymakers, focusing on solutions to improve the state's strained behavioural health system.
All these hospitals, licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, offer a range of treatments, from inpatient and outpatient care to crisis stabilisation for all age groups.
Despite accepting all insurance types, including Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE, Texas behavioural health hospitals face immense challenges.
With an increasing demand for services, staffing difficulties, and low reimbursement rates, the pressure spills over to emergency departments, jails, and other mental health providers.
The coalition highlighted that Texas is currently ranked last in access to mental health services, with a staggering ratio of more than 350 individuals per mental health provider.
TABHS is now actively engaging with legislators to propose solutions for the 2025 Texas Legislature.
Its initiatives include increasing Medicaid rates for private psychiatric services, which have not seen a payment rise since 2008, and addressing the Institutes of Mental Disorder (IMD) exclusion to expand Medicaid reimbursements.
Additionally, TABHS is advocating for expanding outpatient mental health services under Medicaid and increasing the capacity for private providers to contract with the state for various mental health services.
TABHS board member and UHS regional vice-president Joe Gallagher said: "We are a big, diverse state facing a real crisis that impacts every Texan, whether we are a patient, family member, or taxpayer.
“Every day, our hospitals are helping Texans get back to their families, back to work and back to the things that they love to do. But we cannot meet the increasing demand alone. We're hopeful our efforts will encourage common sense actions and investments that will set the stage for a strong behavioural health system.”
