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2007 Legislative Action and Policy Changes Impacting At Risk Populations

2007 Legislative Action and Policy Changes Impacting At Risk Populations. Presented by Jennifer Mahan of the Mental Health Association in North Carolina. Health Policy. Mental Health Parity High Risk Pool Child Health Care State Funded Plan Federal SCHIP Smoking Ban in State Facilities.

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2007 Legislative Action and Policy Changes Impacting At Risk Populations

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  1. 2007 Legislative Action and Policy Changes Impacting At Risk Populations Presented by Jennifer Mahan of the Mental Health Association in North Carolina

  2. Health Policy • Mental Health Parity • High Risk Pool • Child Health Care • State Funded Plan • Federal SCHIP • Smoking Ban in State Facilities

  3. NC Mental Health Parity • HB 973 covers group plans and requires mental health coverage • The law becomes effective July 1, 2008. • 9 diagnoses at full parity – bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, paranoid and other psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

  4. MH Parity Cont. • other mental illness diagnoses at financial parity – deductibles, coinsurance factors, co-payments, maximum out-of-pocket as well as annual and lifetime limits must be the same as for physical illnesses.    • Mental illness diagnoses not included in the 9 listed may have different durational limits, but the minimum benefit required: • Thirty (30) combined inpatient and outpatient days per year • Thirty (30) office visits per year 

  5. High Risk Pool • For people with pre-existing medical conditions to purchase more affordable insurance • 150-200% of standard plan • Paid for with tax on gross premiums paid by insurance companies • HWTF startup funds • Risk pool commission sets policies to manage eligibility and pool funds

  6. Child Health Plan • Children in families up to 300% of poverty • Waiting for impact of Federal SCHIP changes • Final plan will be developed by DHHS based on available funds (currently 7 million) • Expected to start July 1 2008

  7. 2007-2009 Budget Items • Numerous items (see budget online at www.ncleg.net) Big winners: • County Medicaid relief/optional tax • UNC Cancer Research Fund • NC Health Choice funds • Medicaid for 18-20 yr foster youth • NC Health Net 2.8 million • Pandemic flu planning • School Nurses

  8. Smoking • State facilities now join prisons in smoking ban -HB 24 • Tobacco free schools -SB 1086 • Smoke free UNC -SB 862 • Long term care facilities -HB 1294 • Restaurant/bar/local control smoking ban failed to pass • Zoo instituted voluntary ban under public pressure

  9. Safety • School Violence Prevention/Anti-Bullying - did not pass. • Current version includes enumeration of those typically bullied in school • Anti-bulling programs are available for schools. Contact Adrian Lovelace at MHA-NC, and Billy Lassiter, Dept of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention • Positive Behavioral Supports – contact Diann Irwin, Dept of Public Instruction

  10. Economic Security/Housing • State Earned Income Tax Credit • Long Term Care Insurance Credit • Child Care subsidy rate increase • Funds 1520 more child care slots • Housing Trust Fund • Housing 400 • DHHS housing/homeless positions

  11. Challenges Ahead • Mental health system • Health disparities • Uninsured/Underinsured • Full coverage for MI and addiction • Healthcare workforce • Boomer population • Child and adult obesity and related illness • Low-income housing

  12. Organizations and Websites • Health Access Coalition/Justice Center www.ncjustice.org • Action for Children www.ncchild.org • Alliance for Health www.rtpnet.org/alliance/ • Covenant w/ NC’s Children • Brian Lewis, ED brian@nccovenant.org • The Coalition (MH/DD/SAS) • Sally Cameron, Chair ncpasally@mindspring.com • NC Legislature: www.ncleg.net

  13. Contact Information Jennifer Mahan Mental Health Association in NC 1331 Sunday Drive Raleigh NC 27607 919-981-0740 x270 jmahan@mha-nc.org www.mha-nc.org

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