Advocacy E-News January 30, 2019
January 30, 2019
OPTIONS FOR KIDS DIAGNOSED WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS. A CRISIS N.J. IS ADDRESSING
Welcome new dollars are coming to New Jersey to help primary-care physicians and other health-care providers treat young people grappling with mental illness – a population traditionally under-served by existing programs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to pump nearly $2.3 million over the next five years into efforts to enhance training and promote educational programs geared to this vulnerable population.
NEW JERSEY COMES CLOSER TO APPROVING MENTAL-HEALTH PARITY
New Jersey is moving closer to adopting legislation designed to ensure that insurance companies cover behavioral-health treatments at the same level as physical care, thanks to amendments to a bill touted by supporters as a model for dozens of other states. The Senate Commerce committee adopted the measure Thursday, following several hours of testimony.
N.J. TO GET FIRST URGENT CARE CENTER FOR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES
New Jersey’s largest hospital chain on Thursday completed a merger with the state’s largest private mental health facility its executives say will create the state’s first walk-in “urgent care” center that will divert people in crisis from the emergency room.
CONGRESS OPENS DRUG PRICE HEARINGS
A senior Republican lawmaker said Tuesday that he plans to investigate the “unacceptable” cost of insulin, as Congress opened hearings on high prescription drug prices and how government might put the brakes on a pharmaceutical industry used to setting its own terms. Across Capitol Hill, the House Oversight and Reform Committee had its own hearing later Tuesday. Chairman Elijah Cummings, D-Md., has already announced a sweeping investigation of drug industry pricing practices, sending detailed information requests to 12 major manufacturers.
BILL REQUIRES THE SCREENING OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN FOR DEPRESSION
Senator Troy Singleton discussed a bill that he, along with Assemblyman Herbert Conaway, is sponsoring that requires the screening of certain school-aged children for depression.
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