Financial Strain on and Systemic Barriers in Mental Health Treatment.

The article "Financial Strain on and Systemic Barriers in Mental Health Treatment" by Michael W. Flores, Ph.D., M.P.H., discusses the challenges faced by individuals with high out-of-pocket spending on outpatient mental health treatment. The study highlights how financial constraints, stagnant wages, and rising costs impact access to mental health care, particularly for low-income individuals. The Affordable Care Act has expanded access to health insurance for low-income individuals, but barriers such as long wait times, limited provider networks, and high out-of-pocket costs still hinder access to mental health services. The article calls for policy changes to address these systemic barriers and promote mental health care as a fundamental right for all individuals. [Extracted from the article]