MSU Health Care Hosts Senator

November 9, 2023

Senator Debbie Stabenow Visits Pediatric Clinic as Part of Expanded Mental Health Services for Children in Michigan

EAST LANSING – MSU Health Care Pediatrics Lansing welcomed Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow on September 25, 2023, to understand the impact the Michigan Clinical Consultation & Care Program on its patient population.

Senator Stabenow visited the clinical site where a behavioral health consultant is embedded as part of an announcement of $55 million in grants for Michigan from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to enhance access to critical mental health services for children across the state of Michigan. The Michigan Clinical Consultation & Care Program is set to receive one of these grants which will enable the program to further expand its model to support school mental health professionals in Michigan, and to pilot the model in the emergency department setting. 

"Senator Stabenow's visit to MSU Health Care Pediatrics Lansing underscores our unwavering commitment to the well-being of our youth,” said Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., executive vice president for Health Sciences. “The Michigan Clinical Consultation & Care Program exemplifies our dedication to address the mental health needs of our communities to better help individuals and families."

MSU Health Care Pediatrics, located in downtown Lansing, has emerged as a pivotal player in this initiative, being one of only 11 locations in the state of Michigan to have a dedicated behavioral health consultant on-site.

"Having a dedicated behavioral health consultant on-site at MSU Health Care Pediatrics through MC3 has been a game-changer for our young patients," said Yakov Sigal, MD, medical director for the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development within the College of Human Medicine. "We're proud to be one of the pioneering locations in Michigan offering this service, and it underscores our dedication to ensuring every child receives the comprehensive care they deserve."

The grant program for an embedded behavioral health consultant, MC3 (Michigan Clinical Consultation & Care) Program, began in 2012. MSU Health Care Pediatrics Lansing has been a participant in this program since its inception. The MC3 Program places a strong emphasis on ensuring equitable access to care for children in marginalized communities.

From October 1, 2021 through September 22, 2023, the program has provided 115 same-day phone consultations along with integrated behavioral health services for 548 patients at the location. This location provides a critical service to the Lansing area with 72% of patients within the program receiving public insurance.

The MC3 program receives support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The program has been instrumental in bringing mental health expertise to primary care providers who serve youth, pregnant women, and postpartum women along with their infants in every county across Michigan.

In addition to the MC3 program's efforts, MSU Health Care Psychiatry plays a vital role in addressing mental health needs in Michigan. While MC3 focuses on integrating mental health expertise into primary care for specific demographics, MSU Health Care Psychiatry extends its services to children across the state. MSU Health Care Psychiatry has taken part in the Prevent 2 Protect program which was implemented in October 2022 to provide multidisciplinary intervention to high-risk and high-need middle and high school students.

MSU Health Care Psychiatry also consults with primary care providers within MSU Health Care to provide psychiatric intervention for patients. MSU Health Care Psychiatry also provides telepsychiatry services for patients and rural Community Mental Health Centers across the state. The clinic offers consultation services to emergency departments, including Sparrow Hospital and other local health care facilities.

“MSU Health Care Psychiatry is dedicated to ensuring that Michigan's youth receive the mental health services they need, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said Jed Magen, DO, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and psychiatrist at MSU Health Care. “We believe that mental health care is a fundamental right. By prioritizing mental health, we can build a stronger, healthier future for all.” 

Through collaborations as part of our state-wide network, MSU Health Care gives our patients exclusive access to novel access pathways giving everyone access to the latest innovation and advanced treatment delivered locally and attentively from people committed to health.

 

Media Contact:
Andrea Mackey
(517) 353-1327