Mental health and substance use are affecting the lives of many individuals in our community. At Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health, we support community members facing these challenges. We connect individuals to the services they need through the Medicaid Transformation Project. Known as MTP, this project builds partnerships and programming to help people live their best lives.

The need for quality mental health and substance use services is rising. This is largely due to COVID-19. This virus presents new obstacles to whole-person wellness. We’ve seen how quickly the illness can spread in our own region. We have also seen the tragedy that often follows. COVID-19 impacts other health challenges too. The cycle of quarantining and isolating, for example, while necessary to slow the virus, has impacted individuals’ mental health and substance use across the country.

Over the past year, there has been an alarming rise in opioid-related deaths. This highlights the role the pandemic has played in an already alarming health crisis. Mental health and substance use continue to be of real concern in Southwest Washington.

Addressing these needs in our community is incredibly important. MTP has helped us build meaningful partnerships that connect people with the care they need. We are grateful to work with Lifeline Connections as one of these valuable partners. Their leadership in mental health and substance use is making a difference in our region.

Lifeline Connections’ Impact

Lifeline Connections has done amazing things to help our community. Some highlights of their work include:

• Creating the Opioid Treatment Network partnership with Peace Health. This has allowed people to access medication-assisted treatments (MAT) while in the hospital or emergency room.
• Growing this partnership to include emergency room staff, pharmacists, behavioral health partners, peers, community members, and others.
• Better connecting behavioral health and physical health.
• Completing a make-over of the MAT clinic
• Increasing the access and availability of quality behavioral health care

Through MTP, SWACH and Lifeline have built a strong partnership focused on improving people’s lives. Without this program, these partnerships would be harder to achieve. MTP allows us to build a bridge between services that are typically siloed, like mental and physical health. That connection allows us to meet the need of our community.

The Future of MTP

Collaboration is key to making these programs possible. Lifeline Connections’ partnership with SWACH proves that when organizations come together, real impact can occur. The Medicaid Transformation Project removes barriers to make that coordination possible.

MTP is scheduled to end in December 2022. With how helpful the program has been, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is applying to renew the project. If approved, this would fund the project through 2027. The renewal focuses on three important areas:

• Expand coverage and access to care. This ensures people can get the care they need.
• Advance whole-person care in important areas. This includes primary, preventative, home, and community-based care.
• Accelerate care delivery and payment innovation. This would be focused on health-related social needs.

The project renewal, if approved, would allow SWACH to continue building these valuable partnerships. It would help us center our community’s needs, and help people access care. The HCA is asking for feedback currently on the renewal through the public comment period. This is a chance for individuals to shape the future of MTP.

We want your feedback in this process. By participating in the public comment period, you can help us advocate for regional needs. We have the opportunity to improve our community through the next MTP waiver.

The HCA makes it easy to participate in this process. You can participate in different ways, including:

• Attending public hearings
• Completing an online survey
• Emailing the HCA directly
• Mailing letters to the HCA
• Or sharing feedback with SWACH.

Complete details about the public comment period are available on the HCA website. Learn more about SWACH’s involvement in the public comment period on our website. Specific questions regarding the project or the public comment period can be sent to communications@southwestach.org.