From the Associated Press 5.20.13

Medicaid Proposal

Senate Republicans said Monday their two-year budget proposal demonstrates how Medicaid keeps siphoning away money from other priorities, but critics assert that the GOP spending plan keeps taking from the needy and the middle class. The proposal for state government spending through mid-2015 sets aside $1.2 billion over those two years for additional costs of Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance plan for 1.5 million poor and disabled North Carolina residents. The state agency running Medicaid would receive $370 million more for the fiscal year starting July 1 compared to the current year’s authorized spending of more than $3.1 billion. The increase comprises nearly all of the 2.3 percent overall spending increase proposed in the $20.6 billion plan for next year, said Sen. Pete Brunstetter, one of the chamber’s chief budget-writers. The higher Medicaid spending comes even as the Republican-led legislature has rejected expanding Medicaid to cover an estimated 500,000 uninsured people in the state, as allowed by the federal health care overhaul. The federal government would fully fund expanded coverage for the first few years, with its share later dropping to 90 percent. Still, Republicans say the state can’t afford for now its share of the costs in later years.

Brunstetter said higher-than-expected Medicaid costs this year also caused Republicans to scale back other initiatives and contributed to them offering no pay raises this coming year for teachers and state employees. Republican Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget sought a 1 percent pay increase. “All of these things that we talk about that we want to do in education, justice and public safety and the environment, they’re all running right into the Medicaid juggernaut and we’ve just got to get it fixed,” Brunstetter, R-Forsyth, told reporters. The bill does reduce some provider rates, attempts to encourage cost savings and efficiencies and directs McCrory’s administration to come up with a Medicaid overhaul proposal for legislators to consider by early next year. Even without the Medicaid expansion, the budget envisions spending another $50 million next year for almost 70,000 new Medicaid recipients who are expected to enroll after learning about the Affordable Care Act but qualifying under current eligibility rules.

For More on the Senate Budget:

http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2013/budget/2013/S402-CSMDxf-9.pdf    The budget bill with the special provisions – DHHS starts on page 116

http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2013/budget/2013/SB402_Committee_Report_2013-05-21.pdf            The money report – DHHS is section G-1

http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2013/budget/2013/S402-CSMDxf-9-TOC.pdf        Table of Contents for S402 – DHHS begins on page 116 of the money report.

Raleigh, N.C. – Secretary of Health and Human Services Aldona Wos announced Dave Richard has been appointed Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, effective May 28, 2013.

“Dave is a highly skilled and accomplished leader in the mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse advocacy community,” Secretary Wos said. “His extensive expertise in program implementation, public education, government affairs, and his deep understanding of individual and community needs will help us improve customer service as we seek to help every North Carolinian fulfill their potential.”

Mr. Richard spent nearly 25 years as executive director of The Arc of North Carolina and has held leadership roles within The Arc of the United States. Prior to his role with The Arc of North Carolina, he served as executive director for The Arc of Delaware and The Arc of Louisiana. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree, with a major concentration in elementary education, from Louisiana State University.

To link to the press release, click HERE.

From WRAL.com 5.16.13

RALEIGH— The state Senate plans to unveil its budget plan for the coming fiscal year late Sunday, Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Pete Brunstetter said Thursday.

Lawmakers will not include legislation rewriting the state’s tax system in the budget bill, said Brunstetter, R-Forsyth. However, he said, the Senate’s spending plan will anticipate a change in tax code, meaning budget-writers will have less money with which to work.

“We will not expend the amount of money we don’t expect to collect,” Brunstetter said.

Aside from that, he would not disclose the bottom-line spending numbers or other details, saying that members of the Senate have not yet been briefed on details of the bill.

The House and Senate are in the process of rolling out competing tax packages. Both sets of reform bills are expected to lower corporate and personal income taxes while applying sales tax to more goods and services.

Senate lawmakers are expected to review the contents of the budget plan during committee meetings on Monday afternoon. Brunstetter said he expected the full Senate to debate and pass the bill on Wednesday and Thursday.

To link to this story, click HERE.

Recovery Roles and Values

Date:      Friday, June 21

Time:      Noon-1 p.m.

Free webinar designed for peer specialists (also applicable for recovery coaches) on recovery roles and values.

This webinar is based on a part of a recovery curriculum from the SAMHSA-funded Recovery to Practice Project. This webinar, presented by Gladys Christian and Rita Cronise, will help peer supporters more effectively provide support. It will also introduce participants to the Recovery to Practice Project and the full recovery curriculum.

(No pre-registration is required!!!)

Questions? Contact us at:

webinars@naops.org

www.naops.org

 To download the webinar flyer (with more info), click HERE: rtp webinar 3 flyer

Update:  This bill was withdrawn from the calendar on 5/8/13 and re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Dear Providers,

We wanted to make you aware of an important bill being voted on in the NC House today (House convenes at 2pm this afternoon) on HB693– Elimination Exceptions/Med Treatment Minors. This bill would require parental consent or a court order for minors seeking Mental Health and Substance Abuse treatment (also for contraceptives and treatment of STDs).

For more information and the complete text of the Bill, CLICK HERE.

If you have concerns or questions about this legislation, we urge to get in touch with your representative in the NC house. You can find their contact information here:

We will continue to track the progress of this bill and keep you informed of any updates.