Advocacy E-News April 6, 2020
April 6, 2020
DMHAS ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR TREATMENT PROGRAMS
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has announced an emergency monthly payment policy under the Covid-19 State of Emergency and a contract extension to December 31, 2020 to ensure the continuation of Mental Health and Addictions Treatment services by programs contracting with DMHAS through the current calendar year.
GREYSTONE DOCTOR TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS AS STATE HOSPITALS TAKE ACTION
Staff members at New Jersey’s state psychiatric hospitals are taking steps to “contain and mitigate” the spread of coronavirus after a doctor at Greystone Park in Parsippany tested positive for COVID-19, state officials confirmed. All patients and staff on the units assigned to the doctor are being monitored and continue to be asymptomatic.
See the steps being taken by the hospitals in the Daily Record story
EMPLOYEES SAY TRENTON PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL CEO NOT TAKING PANDEMIC SERIOUSLY
The top official at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital is not practicing the social distancing that Gov. Phil Murphy preaches at daily news briefings is New Jersey’s single most effective weapon in the fight against the novel coronavirus, according to fearful hospital employees. Desperate for help, someone anonymously started a Change.org petition to get the governor and health commissioner Judy Persichilli to address the crisis.
DRUG PRICING LEGISLATION IN DOUBT AFTER COVID-19 RELIEF BILL
Health policy experts say a consequence of the coronavirus relief bill speeding through Congress may be to delay action on drug pricing legislation even though it’s a priority for leaders in both parties during this election year. Depending on how long the [coronavirus] crisis continues, the rising cost of prescription drugs may once again become an important election issue.