Advocacy E-News June 19, 2017
June 19, 2017
WILL THE SENATE CUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE?
The Senate is discussing a version of the American Health Care Act and may take action soon. They have a decision to make: protect mental health care or make devastating cuts to Medicaid.
Medicaid is the foundation of our community mental health system. It is the main provider of mental health services for people with serious mental illness. Capping Medicaid would be a move in the wrong direction and push people with mental illness into costly emergency rooms, hospitals and jails.
We need more coverage for mental health care, not less.
Act today. Tell your Senators to take Medicaid caps off the table and protect mental health care.
DMHAS RELEASES HOME TO RECOVERY 2 PLAN
The New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has released the revised NJ Olmstead Plan know as Home to Recovery 2 Plan. This represents DMHAS’ implementation Plan for current systems level initiatives and reforms. The Division has included a outcomes section which details quantitative goals for the improvement of the delivery of services.
Go to the Home to Recovery 2 Cover Letter
Go to the Home to Recovery 2 Plan
GREYSTONE HAS FEWER DOCTORS, MORE PATIENTS
With some patients sleeping in common areas, New Jersey’s largest publicly run psychiatric hospital has exceeded its capacity, at the same time a wave of psychiatrists are retiring or taking jobs for better pay in the private sector, according to the hospital’s trustee board. The exodus of psychiatrists from Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital means fewer doctors for more patients. The doctors who remain “are required to cover the additional patient caseload for extended periods of time — a situation that is counterproductive to patient care,” according to the June 1 letter board Chairman Eric Marcy sent to acting Human Services Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly.
MARY JO CODEY CLOSES DOOR ON ONE CAREER, BUT CONTINUES HER OTHER
Mothering didn’t always come easy to Mary Jo Codey, and her story has been well documented. As the wife of former New Jersey Senate President and Gov. Richard Codey, she was able to draw attention to the crippling impact of postpartum depression and other mental illnesses. Mary Jo Codey is retiring this week after four decades of teaching. This week will be her last in the classroom but it will give her more time to devote to the Codey Fund and continue her work on the mental health front.
FIND YOUR LOCAL NAMI
