CONSUMER AFFAIRS BULLETIN
Volume 4, No. 1 Spring 1999

SAMHSA Announces Consumer Bill of Rights Activities

SAMHSA administrator, Nelba Chavez, Ph.D. announced in the fall of 1998 that the agency is launching an initiative to implement the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (Bill of Rights) throughout all activities and programs. This initiative follows up on release of the Bill of Rights from the President's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry. President Clinton directed all federal health plans--including Medicaid, Medicare and employee health plans--and specific federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, to adopt the protection provided by the Bill of Rights in their programs and services.

The Bill of Rights charts a course for the continued enhancement of those health systems and processes that both protect consumer rights and ensure quality. Eight areas of consumer rights and responsibilities were adopted by the Advisory Commission: information disclosure, choice of providers and plans, access to emergency services, participation in treatment decisions, respect and nondiscrimination, confidentiality of health information, complaints and appeals, and consumer responsibilities. Additional information is available online at: www.hcqualitycommission.gov.

Since its establishment six years ago, SAMHSA has demonstrated a significant commitment to consumer/survivor involvement and consumer rights. "Persons with or at risk for substance abuse and mental illnesses, and their families, are the ultimate judges of success. SAMHSA's activities will reflect the needs, hopes, and concerns of consumers and families." is stated as one of the core principles in the SAMHSA Strategic Plan.

"Our consumer activities range from the establishment of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) Consumer Affairs Program to the recently initiated Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) Recovery Community Support Program," Chavez said. The consumer affairs program is responsible for public information and education programs and ensuring that the perspective of consumers is integrated in all CMHS communications, program or policy development activities. The CSAT program is to foster the participation of recovery organizations in the development of substance abuse treatment programs, policies, and quality assurance activities at the state and local levels.

In keeping with this philosophy and the directives of the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala, SAMHSA established a cross-agency workgroup to develop a plan to implement the Bill of Rights in SAMHSA activities. The workgroup began by contacting more than 30 external constituents, such as providers, consumers, national organizations, and State program directors, and asked them for recommendations. A work plan was prepared which SAMHSA and Center leadership reviewed.

As a result, SAMHSA is launching an initiative to implement the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities throughout all activities and programs. Early activities include: (1) sharing information about the Bill of Rights and the SAMHSA initiative with internal staff and external constituents (such as consumers, states, grantees, national and community-based organizations, and providers), and (2) soliciting recommendations on how SAMHSA can provide leadership and support to the substance abuse and mental health fields in implementing the Bill of Rights. Also, the CSAP Office of Managed Care training program contains a module addressing "Behavioral Health Consumers in Managed Care Organizations" that includes material on the Bill of Rights.

Lead responsibility for the Bill of Rights initiative rest with Eric Goplerud, SAMHSA's Associate Administrator of the Office of Managed Care. However, the original workgroup, comprised of designated contacts from each Center and the Office of the Administrator under the leadership of Carole Schauer, Consumer Affairs, CMHS, will continue to guide the initiative.

CMHS Director, Bernard S. Arons, M.D., said " everyone is excited by this new initiative and looks forward to broad-based support, input and assistance in enhancing health care quality and rights protection for mental health and substance abuse consumers."

Consumer Affairs Bulletin
Volume 4, No. 1, Spring 1999