Event Recap: Strengthening the Front Lines of Behavioral Health | 6.4.2025

On Wednesday, June 4, HC3 convened behavioral health leaders, policymakers, advocates, and providers for a timely summit focused on workforce, reimbursement, and parity in behavioral health. Held at the Illinois Medical District and hosted in partnership with HC3’s parent organization, Third Horizon, the event spotlighted the newly launched Illinois Mental Health Parity Index (MHPI) and underscored the urgent need to align data, policy, and funding to fortify the state’s behavioral health infrastructure.

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LIVE EVENT FOOTAGE (6.4.2025 at the Illinois Medical District)

Event Recap

Illinois Legislator Remarks

Representative Yolanda Morris (D-9th District) opened the event with a call for stronger systems coordination and greater responsiveness to community needs. She highlighted legislative wins, including $35M for the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative and new funding for statewide navigation portals and pediatric mental health training.

Representative Lindsay LaPointe (D-19th District), Chair of the House Mental Health and Addiction Committee, joined Smith for a candid discussion on legislative barriers and momentum around HB1085—a bill that would establish a reimbursement rate floor for behavioral health providers. She stressed the critical connection between provider reimbursement, access, and workforce retention: “Therapists have been getting the same rates for 10–15 years,” she said. “That’s unacceptable—and we will change it.”

LaPointe also spoke to the urgency of protecting Medicaid, noting that underfunding behavioral health leads to more costly, preventable crises across hospitals and emergency systems:“This is about making Medicaid work—not just surviving cuts, but actually meeting the needs of the people it was designed to serve.” She continued, “If we don't fix behavioral health reimbursement, people with Medicaid won't be able to use it. That's the truth.”

Illinois Mental Health Parity Index: A Transformative New Tool

The centerpiece of the summit was the recent launch of the Illinois Mental Health Parity Index, developed by HC3’s parent organization, Third Horizon, in collaboration with the Kennedy Forum and the American Medical Association. David Smith, CEO of Third Horizon and co-founder of HC3, walked attendees through the index’s structure and implications. He detailed how the tool quantifies disparities between behavioral and physical health across three metrics—network adequacy, outpatient reimbursement, and inpatient rates—highlighting that, across nine commercial plans, in-network mental health provider availability is 55% lower, and outpatient mental health services are reimbursed 27% less than physical health.

“This is not about shaming payers,” Smith clarified. “This is about building a data-informed foundation that empowers payers, providers, employers, and regulators to close the gaps.” He emphasized that the parity index will be continually updated and expanded, serving as a public utility to inform advocacy, policy, and future investment.

Panel Discussion: Addressing Workforce and Implementation Challenges

Moderated by Third Horizon’s Chief Client Officer, Ashley DeGarmo, a panel of leading behavioral health experts and system leaders joined to reflect on how to translate parity data into workforce strategies and sustainable infrastructure:

Featured Panelists:

• Heather O’Donnell, SVP of Advocacy and Public Policy, Thresholds

• Blanca Campos, CEO, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association

• Dr. Inger Burnett-Ziegler, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, State of Illinois

• Dr. Thomas Nutter, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Cook County Health

  
  

Panelists emphasized that inadequate reimbursement is the root of persistent workforce shortages. O’Donnell noted that, following a $170M Medicaid rate increase, Thresholds increased frontline salaries by 50% and reached record-high staff satisfaction.“That’s what paying people what they’re worth does,” she said. “It’s not just retention—it’s sustainability and dignity in the work.”

Campos spoke to the need for greater education and enforcement around parity laws.“You can’t enforce rights people don’t know they have,” she explained. “We need better outreach and stronger regulatory accountability.”

Burnett-Ziegler emphasized that Medicaid’s role in behavioral health is both foundational and at risk: “Too many people can only access care through Medicaid, and yet those services are least supported,” she said. “Parity isn’t just about compliance—it’s about equity. And that starts with reimbursement reform.”

Dr. Nutter reflected on data, infrastructure, and lessons from his time at the VA.“We know what works—what we need now is the will and the resources to scale it,” he noted. “Data is powerful, but only if we act on it.”

Bright Ideas in Behavioral Health: Chicago Innovators & Entrepreneurs

The summit’s “Bright Ideas” segment elevated the voices of grassroots leaders building innovative models of care rooted in lived experience, cultural responsiveness, and community connection. These organizations respond directly to behavioral health gaps with practical, local solutions.

Sista Afya Community Care (SACC) is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to building sustainable mental wellness communities by providing affordable, culturally centered mental health care and education. Founded to address the mental health inequities impacting Black women and girls, SACC removes cost barriers and centers the community in all aspects of care. Their holistic model combines individual therapy, peer support, and community wellness programs to serve under-resourced neighborhoods across Chicago. Through core initiatives like Thrive in Therapy, Community Care workshops, and the Developing Mental Wellness Warriors training program, SACC supports whole-person wellbeing and empowers community members to respond to mental health needs with confidence and care.

Open Roads Behavioral Health, developed by A Safe Haven Foundation, is a newly established program dedicated to supporting adolescents and their families through behavioral health challenges. Designed for individuals who do not require 24-hour care, Open Roads offers intensive outpatient and outpatient services that include individual, group, and family therapy. The program focuses on strengthening family relationships, enhancing interpersonal skills, developing healthy coping strategies, and promoting overall well-being. By providing a higher level of care than traditional outpatient services, Open Roads enables teens to receive the support they need while continuing to live at home, attend school, and stay connected to their communities.

Chicago Integrated Health is a community-based wellness clinic in Matteson, IL, committed to empowering individuals and families through a holistic, four-fold approach to care that integrates mental health therapy, nutrition counseling, personal training, and clinical massage. Grounded in the belief that true healing involves the whole person, their team offers both in-person and telehealth services to make high-quality, culturally responsive care accessible to all. With a strong emphasis on affordability and inclusivity, Chicago Integrated Health accepts private insurance and Medicaid, removing financial barriers for many clients. Whether supporting mental health challenges or promoting physical recovery and strength, the organization offers a science-backed, practical path to lasting wellness.

Collaborative Bridges is a partnership of West Side Chicago safety net hospitals and community mental health agencies working to improve behavioral health outcomes through seamless, community-based care. Funded by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ Healthcare Transformation Collaborative, the initiative supports individuals with mental health and substance use needs, especially following hospital discharge, by bridging gaps between hospitals and local services. With a mission to promote health equity and reduce rehospitalization, Collaborative Bridges ensures continuity of care, fosters healing in trusted environments, and is a scalable model for community-driven behavioral health delivery.

Looking Ahead

The summit made one thing clear: parity is not an abstract policy issue—it is a defining challenge of behavioral health equity and workforce sustainability in Illinois. The Illinois Mental Health Parity Index has equipped the field with a powerful data tool to hold systems accountable and inform legislative and operational change.

The coming months will be critical for passing HB1085, strengthening interagency coordination, and ensuring that Medicaid remains a reliable foundation for behavioral health care.