Tuesday, October 26, 2004
State Expenditure Report 2003Report, in
Adobe Acrobat format, from the National Association of State Budget Governors. A
related story at the NAMI site notes that the report indicates "Medicaid costs increased faster than any other area of state spending in FY 2003, and are expected to consume a greater portion of total spending than elementary and secondary education for the first time in FY 2004" - and that 18 are likely to experience Medicaid budget shortfalls this year. "Based on these reports," says NAMI, "advocates will need to be vigilant in monitoring cost containment initiatives in their state, especially in the prescription drug area, as states report that growth in this area is the primary or secondary reason for higher Medicaid expenditure growth. Advocates must develop better relationships with their Medicaid officials and make clear arguments about how NAMI can assist their agencies, as well as working in broader coalitions..."
Mental services: not good enough (Virginia)Richmond Times Dispatch story - "Years after state officials promised to get more people out of state mental hospitals and to help them more when they leave, care in the community is still measured in minutes a month. Virginia is spending more money serving fewer people in the community, a Times-Dispatch analysis of community mental-health agency financial and performance data found. In several key categories of care, the time spent serving the mentally ill has declined. And some types of care, particularly residential programs, are falling by the wayside more and more..."
Community updated on mental health (North Carolina)Asheville Courier-Tribune story - "Area residents got an update Monday on what is happening with local mental health services after state mandated changes that took effect last year. Representatives of The Sandhills Center For Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services held the fourth of seven public forums for its six-county area in the Randolph Community College Foundation Conference Center. ... In addition to filling out surveys to provide Sandhills operators with feedback, participants were asked to consider joining the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC). CFAC is comprised of individuals (or their family members) who use mental health, developmental disabilities or substance abuse services. Members volunteer advice guidance to Sandhills as the state plan is implemented for mental health reform..."
Mental health gets feedback (Michigan)Detroit Free Press story - "Michigan's mental health system needs to undergo a sweeping overhaul, including better funding and earlier intervention for people with mental health problems, the Michigan Health Commission told Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday. The 33-member commission presented its recommendations in Lansing to Granholm, who appointed the group to suggest improvements to Michigan's beleaguered mental health system." See also the
press release by the state's Department of Community Health, the
full report (available for download in two parts, in
Adobe Acrobat format) and the
press release reprinted at
Yahoo from the Mental Health Association in Michigan, which "commended Governor Granholm's Commission on Mental Health for its just-released report. The Association called on the legislative and executive branches to begin planning and developmental work immediately to lay the groundwork for implementation of key report recommendations."
