Health Care Reform Basics            How health care reform helps people who live with mental illness  Confused about how the new health reform law really works? This short, animated movie developed by the Henry K. Kaiser Family Foundation explains the problems with the current health care system, the changes that are happening now, and the changes that are coming. (For more information visit  http://healthreform.kff.org/) Health Care and Mental Illness Today, recovery is the expectation for people who experience mental illness. We know that treatment works--if you can get it. However, there is an average delay of eight to ten years between onset of mental illness and when people typically get treatment. With over 46 million uninsured people and revenue shortfalls impacting community mental health and Medicaid program eligibility and services, many children and adults with serious or chronic mental health needs have little or no access to care. And, for those who are insured, existing laws (such as pre-existing condition exclusions) often create barriers to getting needed treatment for mental health and co-occurring disorders. Federal health care reform addresses many of the challenges people have in getting and keeping health care coverage. The chart below identifies key provisions in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that offer meaningful benefits to individuals and families who live with mental illness. Wyoming