ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. MANDATORY MEDICAID MANAGED CARE TO BEGIN
2. OPPOSE BLOCK GRANTING MEDICAID
3. SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING TRUST FUND ENDING?
4. FUNDING LEVELS FOR FINAL FY 2011 “CONTINUING RESOLUTION”
5. IN RISING NUMBERS ACROSS N.J., TROUBLED COPS ARE KILLING THEMSELVES
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MANDATORY MEDICAID MANAGED CARE TO BEGIN
Effective July 1, upon the adoption of the State Fiscal Year 2012 budget, individuals who receive Medicaid as a result of having a disabling condition and/or who were previously exempt from managed care enrollment in the Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare must be enrolled in managed care in one of New Jersey's four (4) Medicaid Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Also, individuals who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, in a waiver program, or who have otherwise been excluded from managed care will be enrolled in the Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare program in the fall.
Read the NJ Division of Medical Assistance Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/home/Medicaid_Client_FAQs.pdf
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OPPOSE BLOCK GRANTING MEDICAID
Medicaid is the most important source of public mental health funding, paying for nearly half of all services. The budget passed at the end of last week in the House would result in major reductions in future federal spending on Medicaid and convert the program from a federal entitlement to a block grant to the states. As you know, states are already struggling to contain Medicaid expenses. Converting Medicaid to a block grant program will increase pressure on state officials to further contain costs. Enrollments in Medicaid will be cut and essential services will be at risk.
The time is now for advocates to contact their Senators and urge them to oppose a Medicaid Block Grant. All Senate offices can be reached at 1 (888) 876-6242 or (202) 224-3121 or send an e-mail message to your congressional member.
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SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING TRUST FUND ENDING?
In 2005, amid much pride and anticipation, the state created the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, signed into law by Sen. Richard Codey when he was acting governor. It was expected to provide 10,000 new affordable housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and mental illness by dedicating $200 million to create new homes. But six years later, $168 million has been spent to provide housing to 1,500 people with mental illness and special needs, according to state officials. That’s 84 percent of the money to achieve 15 percent of the goal.
See the Star Ledger story:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/priority_waiting_list_to_provi.html
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FUNDING LEVELS FOR FINAL FY 2011 “CONTINUING RESOLUTION”
The House has voted on the final agreement on the FY 2011 “continuing resolution” (HR 1473), funding discretionary federal programs for the remaining six months of the current fiscal year. As has been widely reported in the press, this final agreement follows months of partisan stalemate that nearly shutdown the federal government last week.
Read the NAMI Analysis
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IN RISING NUMBERS ACROSS N.J., TROUBLED COPS ARE KILLING THEMSELVES
The March 27 death of Sgt. David Powell, 46, marked at least the fifth time this year an active or retired officer had taken his life in New Jersey, putting the state on pace to eclipse last year’s grim tally of 13 suicides, according to records kept by Cherie Castellano, the founder and director of a state-sponsored counseling service known as Cop2Cop.
Nationally, more than 400 active and retired officers commit suicide each year, said Robert Douglas, executive director of the National Police Suicide Foundation. No single force can be linked to the increase, according to those who study the issue. Rather, it’s a combination of factors that includes the ready availability of firearms, the stresses inherent in police work, difficulty explaining those stresses to loved ones and an inability to "transition from the street to the home".
Read the Star Ledger report:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/nj_retired_law_enforcement_sui.html
