Marilyn Rich, NAMI Palm Beach County member and past president of NAMI’s national organization
During my time as president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), I worked with patients and their families to overcome the burdensome delays that insurance companies and Medicaid impose on patients with schizophrenia. However, I have also experienced the issue of medical delays in my own family as my son has schizophrenia. Thankfully, Florida’s Medicaid program updated its step therapy requirements for schizophrenia this year, improving access to care for Floridians living with schizophrenia.
Hundreds of thousands of adults in Florida live with severe mental illness. But too many people face obstacles to the treatment they need to lead stable, productive lives. Schizophrenia in particular is a complex and highly individual condition. Treatment decisions should be made between the provider and the patient or care partner, not dictated by insurance hurdles or outdated policies.
Timely access to the right medication is often the difference between recovery and relapse. Unfortunately, many of the traditional treatments for schizophrenia were developed more than 30 years ago. Although these have helped countless people, they are not the most effective option for everyone. Treatment for schizophrenia continues to evolve, and recent developments have expanded options for patients and healthcare providers. This is a milestone that brings new hope to patients and families like me.
When schizophrenia is unmanaged or inadequately treated, the consequences are devastating. Without appropriate treatment, people with schizophrenia may experience frequent hospitalizations, increased involvement with the criminal justice system, and long-term disability. These consequences place a tremendous emotional and financial burden on families and our communities.
Florida’s behavioral health workforce shortage is growing, increasing the urgency to ensure patients receive the right care the first time. When patients are unable to receive prescribed treatments, providers’ ability to provide individualized care is limited and the patient-provider relationship becomes strained. This can often lead to burnout for medical professionals who are tired of fighting with insurance companies over their ability to provide the most effective treatment to their patients.
Thankfully, Florida’s leaders recognize that innovation is the key to improved outcomes and are taking meaningful steps to modernize mental health care and expand access to treatment for Medicaid patients. These smart policy improvements have enabled more Floridians living with severe mental illness to obtain appropriate medication without unnecessary delays or obstacles to step therapy.
But the work is not done yet. Meaningful progress means continuing to prioritize access, innovation, and adherence so that patients are not left behind due to administrative barriers. Florida is a national example in access to mental health care and innovation. We are entering a new era in psychiatric care. It is a time when recovery is possible and people living with severe mental illness are finally faced with solutions rather than obstacles.
As a mother and an advocate, I urge policymakers and stakeholders to continue to put patients first by ensuring access to the right care at the right time for all individuals. Removing barriers and embracing innovation not only improves health outcomes; We strengthen families, communities, and Florida’s future.
Marilyn Rich is a family advocate, member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Palm Beach County, and past president of NAMI’s national organization.
