, /PRNewswire/ -- A coalition of freestanding behavioral health systems created the Texas Association of Behavioral Health Systems (TABHS) to serve as a unified voice that's mission is to help policymakers identify solutions for addressing the state's behavioral health crisis. The TABHS founding members include Acadia Healthcare, Oceans Healthcare, Lifepoint Health, Signature Healthcare Services, SUN Behavioral Health, Summit BHC, Palm Behavioral Health and Universal Health Services (UHS.) The organization represents more than 65 freestanding behavioral health hospitals in rural and urban communities across the state.
freestanding behavioral health hospitals are licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and provide inpatient, outpatient and crisis stabilization treatment for the entire age spectrum of Texans, from children to seniors. In addition, behavioral health hospitals accept all insurance, including commercial and government payers, such as Medicaid, Medicare and TRICARE. In many communities, freestanding behavioral health hospitals serve as the sole mental health provider and act as a safety net in the state's mental health system.
"We recognize our lawmakers and state leaders have placed a great emphasis on bolstering our mental health system, and we do not want to lose momentum," , Chairman of the TABHS and CEO of Oceans Healthcare, said. "We're reaching an inflection point as private behavioral hospitals and units are closing, services are underfun.
